Recalled: 77,688 pounds of El Torito Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Kits

This information comes from the FDA

Real Mex Foods, a Vernon, Calif. company, is recalling around 77,688 pounds of El Torito Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Kits.

The salad kits include dressing made with cilantro that is the subject of a Food and Drug Administration recall by Fresco Green Farms Inc., due to possible Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service FSIS announced Thursday. 

The products subject to recall are:

• 36-ounce trays of "El Torito Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Kit."
• 18-pound cases that contain eight (8) 36-ounce trays of "EL TORITO Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Kit."

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number "P-4140" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The cases bear any of the following sell by dates: "08/23/12," "08/30/12," "09/06/12," or "09/14/12." The trays bear the same sell by dates in the following format: "082312," "083012," "090612," or "091412." Each case is also marked with an identifying item number of "24203." The products were produced between July 23, 2012, and August 6, 2012, and distributed to retail establishments in California.

When available, the retail distribution list will be posted on FSIS' website at fsis.usda.gov/

FSIS was alerted to the problem by Real Mex Foods. The company was informed by a supplier that the cilantro used in the product is subject to an FDA recall. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. 

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. 

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or those undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider. 

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company's President, Michael Siegmund, at (323) 282-2700.