Release No. 0717.95

                                       Stephen Lombardi (202) 720-9113
                                       Jerry Redding    (202) 720-6959

PENNSYLVANIA FIRM RECALLS LEBANON BOLOGNA NATIONWIDE

      WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 1995--The Palmyra Bologna Co., a Palmyra, Pa., food
processing firm, is voluntarily recalling about 550,000 lbs. of Lebanon
Bologna that may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture announced today.  The Lebanon Bologna was distributed to retail
food stores nationwide.

      The company is recalling all retail packages of Lebanon Bologna packaged
under the following brand names and sizes:  Swift, Eckrich, Kroger, America's
Choice, and Super-G brands in the 6-oz. size; Bomberger brand in the 8-oz. and
16-oz. sizes; and Seltzer brand in the 6-oz., 8-oz., 12-oz., and 1-lb. sizes.

      The recalled retail packages will have establishment number "EST. 474"
inside the USDA inspection seal on the label and a sell-by date between Nov.
28 and Feb. 6.

      Also being recalled is Lebanon Bologna under the Seltzer, Bomberger,
Swift, Peter Eckrich, Kahn, Hansel and Gretel, and Medford labels sold in bulk
sizes for slicing in delicatessens.

      No other products under these brand names are affected by the recall.

      Lebanon Bologna is a specialty item, a semi-dry fermented sausage
different from more common bologna, which is fully cooked.  

      "We urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product to return it
to the place of purchase," said Michael R. Taylor, USDA acting under secretary
for food safety.

      USDA learned of the problem after the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's
Department of Health reported a September outbreak of illness associated with
Salmonella in south central Pennsylvania linked to the consumption of Lebanon
Bologna produced at the firm's plant in Palmyra.  The Pennsylvania Health
Department issued a public health advisory on Oct. 10.

      Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria can cause
salmonellosis, a potentially serious disease.  Those with weakened immune
systems--infants, young children, the elderly, and the chronically ill--are
easily susceptible, but anyone can be affected.

      Symptoms of salmonellosis include the sudden onset of flu-like symptoms
such as stomach pains, diarrhea, nausea, chills, fever, and headache.





                                -more--2-

      Consumers with questions about the recall may phone the toll-free USDA
Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.  The hotline can be reached from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.  This number also
provides access to a telecommunications device for the deaf and the hearing
impaired.

      FSIS is responsible for ensuring that meat and poultry products are
safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.

                                   #