Campbell Soup Supply Company LLC, a Paris, Texas, establishment is recalling approximately 15,000,000 pounds of "SpaghettiOs with Meatballs" canned products due to possible under-processing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The products are subject to recall are 14.75-ounce cans of SpaghettiOs in three varieties:
* "SpaghettiOs" with Meatballs, bearing the identifying product code "U5" on the bottom of the can.
* SpaghettiOs" A to Z with Meatballs, bearing the identifying product code "4N" on the bottom of the can.
* "SpaghettiOs" Fun Shapes with Meatballs (Cars), bearing the identifying product code "KS" on the bottom of the can.

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number "EST 4K," as well as a "Use By" date between June 2010 and December 2011 ink-jetted on the bottom of each can. These products were manufactured between December 2008 and June 2010 and distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

The problem was discovered through a routine warehouse inspection by the company and its subsequent investigation. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses from consumption of these products.

Source: FSIS

Salmonella outbreak leads to Marie Callender's recall

ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods LLC, a Council Bluffs, Iowa establishment is recalling Marie Callender's brand Cheesy Chicken and Rice frozen meals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The company is recalling all Marie Callender's brand Cheesy Chicken and Rice frozen meals in commerce, regardless of production date. These products are being recalled after the company was informed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of an investigation involving 29 people in 14 states who have been diagnosed with salmonellosis linked to Salmonella serotype Chester. Eight of the case-patients specifically reported eating this product in April and May, 2010, prior to illness onset; the last reported illness was reported on May 22.

FSIS became aware of the problem during the course of an ongoing investigation of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella serotype Chester illnesses. CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FSIS, and state health and agriculture departments are cooperating in this ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and has not yet definitively identified a food vehicle(s). Further information will be released to the public as it becomes available.

The products subject to recall are 13-ounce packages of "Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken & Rice White Meat Chicken and Broccoli over Rice Topped with Rich Cheddar Sauce."

Each package bears a label with establishment number "P-45" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products were distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

Source: FSIS

Smithfield wants all of Butterball or nothing

Smithfield CEO C. Larry Pope said that the company wants full control of Butterball LLC, a joint venture between the pork producer and Maxwell Farms Inc., or else it will cash out of the venture. Smithfield Foods has offered Maxwell Farms $200 million to buy its portion Butterball, reports the Associated Press.

Smithfield has long wanted North Carolina-based Maxwell to invest more in Butterball, Pope said. He said Butterball needs to upgrade its facilities, business and marketing.

“It’s been so underinvested in for so many years,” he said. “We’re not prepared to go forward in a mediocre fashion.”

Smithfield set a September deadline for Maxwell Farms to decide whether it will sell its stake in Butterball or buy Smithfield’s. If Smithfield buys out its partner, it will assume $215 million in debt and will make significant capital and marketing investments in Butterball, Pope said.

Butterball operates in seven facilities nationwide. It was formed by Smithfield Foods and Maxwell Farms in 2006 to buy ConAgra’s Butterball business.

Source: AP, The Longmont Times-Call