San Francisco Sausage Co. issues statement on E.coli illnesses in Northern California.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1994-- Officials at the San Francisco Sausage Co. Thursday confirmed that it has been informed by the Department of Health Services for the State of California that three cases of E.coli 0157:H7 are known in the state, two in the Sacramento

Tests are being conducted to determine whether the bacterial illness was caused by ingestion of San Francisco Sausage Co.'s dry salami products.

"We would like to express our sympathy to the patients who have been infected by the E.coli bacteria and their families. We are cooperating with the authorities and doing everything possible to get to the bottom of this issue," said Phil Gatto, president of San Francisco Sausage Co.

He continued: "We have been conducting extensive tests on our dry salami products available in California and to date they have shown the products to be E.coli free."

On Dec. 6, the company voluntarily recalled 10,000 pounds of 3 pound packages with a sell by date of May 7, 1995 in the states of Washington, Oregon and California. Further, the company contacted all retailers who sell its dry salami products and requested that all San Francisco Sausage Co. dry salami products be pulled from the shelves and held until the results of testing for E.coli are known.

Brands include Columbus, Alpine, Pocino, Ticino, Buon Gusto, Campagne and Carando.

The company is also offering a full consumer refund on any San Francisco Sausage Co. dry salami products purchased after Sept. 26, 1994.

"The San Francisco Sausage Company is a family owned business that has been making quality salami products for more than 75 years," said Rosemary Mucklow, executive director of the Western States Meat Association. "They are leaders in the industry in quality and production innovations. The company has reacted quickly to the potential problem and is acting in exceptional good faith."

CONTACT: Edelman Public Relations, San Francisco

Lori Smudsky, 415/433-5381, x225