May 22, 2009.

A company in Gardena, Calif., named Paisano Meat, Inc., is now voluntarily recalling around 350,000 pounds of beef and pork products. The Beef and Pork products are believed to possibly contain undeclared sulfites. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today. People who are sensitive to Sulfites can be at real risk due to the fact that Sulfites can cause adverse effects in some highly sensitive people. Although only one out of a hundred people is sulfite-sensitive, and that 5 percent of those who have asthma, are also at risk of suffering an adverse reaction to the substance.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels]

• 1-pound bags of "PAISANO SEASONED BEEF STYLE YECAPIXTLA, Cecina de Res Estilo Yecapixtla." Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 18654-A."
• 5-pound bags of "GROUND SEASONED PORK, COLORED WITH ANNATTO". Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 18654."
• 5-pound bags of "PAISANO, SMALL BONELESS BEEF CUBES, ASADITA." Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 18654."
• 5-pound bags of "BEEF CHUNKY STEAK PICADO." Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 18654."
• 5-pound bags of "GROUND BEEF, CARNE MOLIDA." Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 18654."
• 5-pound bags of "Paisano Meat Inc., Boneless Shredded Beef (MACHACA), Made Fresh." Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 18654."
• 10-pound bags of EL ALTEÑO, SABOR Y CALIDAD, CECINA DE RES ESTILO YECAPIXTLA, Seasoned Beef." Each bag bears the establishment number "EST. 18654-A."
• Two 10-pound bags in 20-pound boxes of "PAISANO, SEASONED BEEF YECAPIXTLA, Cecina de Res Estilo Yecapixtla." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 18654-A" or "EST. 18654-C."

The beef and pork products are not identified with production or package or case codes on the bags or boxes. These beef and pork products were distributed to food service institutions, lunch wagons and retail establishments in southern California. The problem was discovered by FSIS during an investigation into a complaint sent to the Agency. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a physician.

Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company President Jose Lopez at 310-352-6403.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

There are signs of an allergic reaction you can watch for. The most common sites are the mouth (swelling of the lips), digestive tract (stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea), skin (hives, rashes or eczema), and the airways (wheezing or breathing problems). People with allergies must avoid the offending foods altogether.

I have a food allergy to salad dressing, rather the preservative in it. I react as though I have food poisoning, often time so sick I can not move from rest room floor. The best way to describe it is like food poisoning. Although my problem is not nearly as bad as some who's air way is completely compromised still an allergic reaction can be life threatening. If I ingested enough of the preservative I have my serious doubts that I would be able to survive the aftermath of effects my body with go through trying to rid my system of the invading culprit.

Be aware of the fact that some people have very bad reactions and check the chart below if you suspect someone is having a bad allergic reaction to something do not wait call 911 right away. Some people do not even know they have an allergy until it is to late. I myself have thrown out many bottles of sauces as well as dressings only to discover in my late 20's that I have a food preservative allergy that is quit serious and very painful. I am always cautious and very aware of the possible repeat of a very bad episode that I do not wish to ever relive.

Of all the food additives for which FDA has received adverse reaction reports, the ones that most closely resemble true allergens are sulfur-based preservatives. Sulfites are used primarily as antioxidants to prevent or reduce discoloration of light-colored fruits and vegetables, such as dried apples and potatoes, and to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in fermented foods such as wine.

Though most people don't have a problem with sulfites, they are a hazard of unpredictable severity to people, particularly asthmatics, who are sensitive to these substances. FDA uses the term "allergic-type responses" to describe the range of symptoms suffered by these individuals after eating sulfite-treated foods. Responses range from mild to life-threatening.

FDA's sulfite specialists say scientists, at this time, are not sure how the body reacts to sulfites. To help sulfite-sensitive people avoid problems, FDA requires the presence of sulfites in processed foods to be declared on the label, and prohibits the use of sulfites on fresh produce intended to be sold or served raw to consumers (see "A Fresh Look at Food Preservative" in the October 1993 FDA Consumer).