Recall -- Firm Press Release

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 H-E-B Issues a Precautionary Recall For Asian Ready-to-Eat Meals due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer
H-E-B Customer Relations at 210-938-8357 or 1-800-432-3113

Media
Dya Campos, 210-938-8075

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 2, 2012 - H-E-B has issued a voluntary and precautionary recall for certain Asian Ready-to-Eat meals due to the possibility of undercooked chicken in those meals.  There have been no confirmed illnesses reported related to this precautionary recall.   However, undercooked chicken has the potential to be contaminated withSalmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recall involves 19 Ready-to-Eat entrées and meals sold in 40 stores in Texas including one store in Houston. The product was available at the Grab ‘N Go section in H-E-B Delis.  The product(s) come in a 4 ounce, 8 ounce, 12 ounce, 24 ounce black plastic containers with a clear lid, single serve sizes and to-go containers and include the following products:

PRODUCT NAME(S)UPC CODE
GENERAL JOES CHICKEN ENTREE  0026966900000
LEMON CHICKEN ENTREE  0026967000000
LEMON GRASS CHICKEN ENTREE   0026967100000
SESAME CHICKEN ENTREE   0026960600000
SWEET SOUR CHICKEN ENTREE   0026967200000
HE BOWL GENERAL JOES CHICKEN  0026967400000
HE BOWL LEMON CHICKEN  0026967500000
HE BOWL LEMON GRASS CHICKEN   0026967600000
HE BOWL SESAME CHICKEN  0026967700000
HE BOWL SWEET SOUR CHICKEN  0026967800000
GENERAL JOE'S CHICKEN - HEX   0026520900000
SESAME CHICKEN-RETAIL PACK  0026521900000
LEMON CHICKEN- RETAIL PACK  0026521700000
LEMON GRASS CHICKEN-RETAIL PAC  0026521800000
GENERAL JOES CHICKEN - FS COLD  0026703700000
SESAME CHICKEN  0026704500000
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN  0026705000000
LEMON CHICKEN  0026705100000
LEMON GRASS CHICKEN   0026705200000

The UPC code is located on the white sticker that is placed over the seam of the product container.

The voluntary recall has been issued by H-E-B, in an abundance of caution, to ensure the safety of its customers.  “H-E-B is committed to the highest standards of food safety for our customers,” said Winell Herron, Group Vice President of Public Affairs and Diversity. “We take every precaution necessary to ensure the integrity and quality of the products sold in our stores.”

The issue was discovered due to a consumer complaint about the possibility of undercooked chicken in one of the dishes mentioned above.  Any product sold prior to 5/3/12 is affected and should be returned to any H-E-B store for a full refund.  Customers with concerns or questions can contact H-E-B Customer Relations at 210-938-8357 or 1-800-432-3113 between the hours of 8AM and 5PM Monday through Friday.