Texas Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla

WASHINGTON – Windsor Foods, a firm with operations in Lampasas, Texas, and
Oakland, Miss., is recalling approximately 1.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat
(RTE) beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products that may be contaminated with
Salmonella. The packages of beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products contain
as an ingredient the specific Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), which was
previously recalled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of the HVP
product on March 4, 2010. A recall of the ready-to-eat taquito and quesadilla
products containing the HVP was warranted due to the determination that the HVP
ingredient was added after Salmonella prevention steps were applied.

The products subject to recall include:

Beef Taquito Products

  • 1.25-pound cartons of “JOS OL TAQUITOS SHREDDED STEAK ROLLED IN CORN
    TORTILLAS,” bearing any of the following identifying package code numbers:
    “3359327,” “3359334,” “3359337,” “3359338,” “3359342,” “3359343,” “3359344,”
    “3359345,” “3359353,” “3359354,” “3359355,” “3359356,” “3359363,” “3350002,”
    “3350004,” “3350007,” “3350008,” “3350012,” “3350016,” “3350017,” “3350018,”
    “3350023,” “3350025,” “3350026,” “3350029,” “3350031,” “3350033,” “3350036,”
    “3350040,” “3350042,” “3350046,” “3350047,” “3350055,” “3350057,” “3350060,”
    “3350062.” These products were produced between the dates of Nov. 23, 2009
    through March 3, 2010.
  • 2.5-pound cartons of “JOS OL TAQUITOS SHREDDED STEAK ROLLED IN CORN
    TORTILLAS,” bearing any of the following identifying package code numbers:
    “3359340,” “3359357,” “3350005,” “3350014,” “3350028,” “3350037,” “3350053,”
    “3350020,” “3350044.” These products were produced between the dates of Dec.
    6, 2009 through Feb. 22, 2010.
  • 1.6-pound cartons of “EL PASADO BEEF TAQUITOS,” bearing any of the
    following identifying package code numbers: “3350017,” or “3350029.” These
    products were produced on Jan. 17 and 29, 2010.
    4-pound cartons of “EL PASADO SHREDDED BEEF MINI TAQUITOS,” bearing any of the
    following identifying package code numbers: “3350002,” “3350005,” “3350023,”
    “3350037.” These products were produced between the dates of Jan. 2, 2010
    through Feb. 6, 2010.
  • 4-pound cartons of “CASA SOLANA SHREDDED BEEF MINI TAQUITOS,” bearing any
    of the following package code numbers: “3359344” or “3350060.” These products
    were produced on Dec. 10, 2009 and March 1, 2010.
  • 12.5-pound cartons of “E-Z EATS! BEEF TAQUITOS,” bearing the identifying
    package code number “3350042.” These products were produced on Feb. 11, 2010.
  • 1.25-pound cartons of “GIANT EAGLE STEAK TAQUITOS,” bearing the
    identifying package code “3350025.” These products were produced on Jan. 25,
    2010.
  • 20-pound cartons of “JOS OL BEEF TAQUITOS,” bearing any of the following
    identifying package codes: “3359337,” or “3350012.” These products were
    produced on Dec. 3, 2009 and Jan. 12, 2010.
  • 3.3-pound cartons of “POSADA TAQUITOS CORN SHREDDED BEEF,” bearing any of
    the following identifying package codes: “3359357,” “3350005,” “3350020.”
    These products were produced on Dec. 23, 2009, Jan. 5, 2010, and Jan. 20,
    2010.
  • 15-ounce cartons of “JOS OL TAQUITOS SHREDDED STEAK ROLLED IN CORN
    TORTILLAS,” bearing any of the following identifying package codes: “3359342,”
    “3359354,” “3350018,” “3350031,” “3350047,” “3350051.” These products were
    produced between the dates of Dec. 8, 2009 through Feb. 20, 2010.

Chicken Quesadilla Products

15-pound boxes containing 3-pound 12-ounce cartons of “EL PASADO GRILLED CHICKEN
QUESADILLAS GRILLED WHITE MEAT CHICKEN, CHEESE & SALSA FOLDED IN A FLOUR
TORTILLA,” bearing the identifying package code “3530028,” or “3539352.” These
products were produced on Dec. 18, 2009 and Jan. 28, 2010.

Each of the beef taquito cartons subject to recall bear a label with
establishment number “EST. 5590” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The chicken
quesadilla boxes subject to recall bear the USDA mark of inspection, with the
establishment number “P-34708” located separately on each box. These products
were distributed to foodservice and retail establishments nationwide. When
available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on FSIS’ Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/
Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of
these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a
physician.

According to FDA’s March 4, 2010 release, FDA conducted an investigation after a
customer of an FDA regulated firm reported finding Salmonella in the HVP
ingredient. This resulted in the subsequent recall of the contaminated HVP
products.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms
notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are
taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company at
(877) 653-2181. Media with questions regarding the recall should contact the
company’s Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Logistics, Lynn Hall at (512)
249-3416.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of
the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be
life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants,
the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most
common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever
within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea
and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

Source:

USDA FSIS