News Release: December 28, 2003

 HAWAII REPORTED TO HAVE RECEIVED RECALLED BEEF

 HONOLULU - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicated during a briefing today that some of the recalled beef involved in the mad cow disease incident in Washington state may have been sent to Hawaii.  However, USDA emphasizes that the recalled beef does not contain high-risk material and represents an "essentially zero risk to consumers." 

 The State Departments of Agriculture and Health have offered assistance to USDA in tracking down any recalled beef that may have made its way to Hawaii.

 In a recall situation, compliance inspectors from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service will go to retail establishments suspected of receiving recalled items and place a hold on the items until a method of disposal can be determined.  Recall notices are also sent to recipients of all recalled items.

 More information on BSE is available at the USDA website at:  http://www.usda.gov.

 For the transcript of this morning's technical briefing go to: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/12/0446.htm

 ###

For more information, contact:

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Phone: (808) 973-9560