Omaha Steaks Recalls Bridge Mix with Chocolate Covered Peanuts

CONTACT: BETH WEISS, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR PHONE:  (402) 597-8135 FAX:      (402) 597-8252 E-MAIL:  BETHW@OMAHASTEAKS.COM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — (FEBRUARY 5, 2009) – OMAHA STEAKS TODAY ANNOUNCED THE VOLUNTARY RECALL OF 400 (16 OZ.) BAGS OF CHOCOLATE BRIDGE MIX CANDY CONTAINING PEANUTS BECAUSE THE PEANUTS ORIGINATED FROM PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA (PCA), WHICH IS THE FOCUS OF A WIDENING SALMONELLA INVESTIGATION BY THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA).  THE CANDY WAS SOLD DURING THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON AS PART OF GIFT BOX ASSORTMENTS MARKETED AS THE PREMIER EXECUTIVE COLLECTION #2238 AND THE EXECUTIVE COLLECTION #2241 THROUGH OUR NATIONWIDE MAIL ORDER SALES.  NO OTHER PRODUCTS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUNTARY RECALL. 

MARATHON VENTURES, INC. OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, (DBA PEARS GOURMET) THE COMPANY WHICH DISTRIBUTED THE CHOCOLATE BRIDGE MIX, ISSUED A VOLUNTARILY RECALL OF THE PRODUCT YESTERDAY AS THE PEANUTS USED IN THE PRODUCTION WERE SOURCED FROM PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA (PCA).

SALMONELLA IS 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.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO ILLNESSES OR INJURIES LINKED TO THIS CHOCOLATE BRIDGE MIX CANDY. THE COMPANY HAS INFORMED THE FDA OF THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO ELIMINATE ANY POSSIBLE RISK TO CUSTOMERS AND IS FULLY COOPERATING WITH THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION.

OMAHA STEAKS REPORTED THAT EVERY CUSTOMER WHO PURCHASED THIS CANDY HAS BEEN PERSONALLY CONTACTED TO NOTIFY THEM AND TO REQUEST THAT THE PRODUCT BE DISCARDED. IN ADDITION, THE COMPANY IS PROVIDING A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE AND A SPECIAL GIFT CARD TO APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS SITUATION MAY HAVE CAUSED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE BRIDGE MIX AS A GIFT, THE COMPANY IS ISSUING THIS PRESS RELEASE.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CUSTOMER CARE HOT-LINE AT (800)-329-6500.