Traditions Meal Solutions Recalls Non-Fat Dry Milk Packets Because of Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2009

Traditions Meal Solutions is recalling approximately 104,500 packets of 25 gram non fat dry milk packets because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, 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 non-fat dry milk packets are components of Traditions Meal Solutions shelf stable meal kits distributed to food distributors and regional nutrition service providers located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. These meal kits were distributed between January 8, 2008 and June 15, 2009. The meal kits are packaged in small white boxes that have no identifying information and contain single serve food items. These shelf stable meal kits were not available for individual consumer purchase. The only component of the shelf stable meal kit that represents a potential hazard is the non-fat dried milk. The non-fat dried milk packets are white and are approximately 5” by 4” and labeled with lot numbers from 19047 to 21203.

The packet of non-fat dried milk should not be used or consumed. Consumers who have any of the non-fat dry milk packets are urged to destroy them. Traditions Meal Solutions has not received any notification of consumer illness associated with the consumption of its product.

The recall was initiated when Traditions Meal Solutions was notified by its Non fat dry milk supplier, Blendco, Inc., that the non fat dried milk packets included in the shelf stable meal kits contained product supplied by Plainview Milk Products Cooperative, which has issued a voluntary recall because the nonfat dried milk has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Traditions Meal Solutions has isolated all recalled non-fat dried milk packets located in its facility and ceased the distribution of any shelf stable meal kits containing the recalled non fat dried milk.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact Traditions Meal Solutions Quality Assurance Manager, Marcia Guymon at 601-420-8806 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm CST. Media inquiries should be directed to Elmer McInnis, Executive Vice President of Procurement at 601-664-3138.