WINN-DIXIE MEDIA LIST AIDS RECALL OF LUNCHEON MEATS

CHRISTINE BLANK

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores here used its recall system to immediately notify a preset list of all major media and wire services, following the possible contamination of luncheon meats and hot dogs.

Similarly, the chain's corporate office notified individual stores about package dates and codes and store personnel pulled the merchandise. According to officials, the stores were able to handle the "modest" number of packages returned by customers.

Although the luncheon-meat recall applied only to meats produced during two days of production at manufacturer Dixie Packers in Madison, Fla., Winn-Dixie told customers they could return all WD and Madison luncheon meats to avoid confusion.

"Customer confidence is of primary importance in a recall," said Mickey Clerc, spokesman for Winn-Dixie. No customers have reported illnesses from the meats, according to government officials.

Winn-Dixie and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials are continuing their evaluation of the Dixie Packers plant and the plant has discontinued production of luncheon meats and franks, which were distributed to Winn-Dixie stores in 14 states. Some were also distributed to other retailers in the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, IBP Inc., Dakota City, Neb., is recalling all ground beef produced at its plant Oct. 22 because a sample was found to possibly contain E. coli after the product was shipped.