NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2005 For more information, contact:
Joy Huskey, National Accounts Manager
E-Mail: jhuskey@porkchops.com
Calumet Strives for Healthy Pork
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, January 28, 2005 ¯ Calumet Diversified Meats is now one of a small number of 100% allergen and MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) free plants in the pork industry. In a continued effort to become the safest pork manufacturer in the industry, Calumet has said good bye to food allergens and MSG. Calumet is now working with spice and seasoning companies to bring allergen free, flavored and unflavored marinades into the plant.
“Just the other day, I read about a teenager’s death in Concord that was caused from the food allergen peanuts. It is terribly upsetting when you hear stories like this, I hope we can be a part of preventing the growing number of deaths caused by food allergens each year,” stated Jerry Klein, President of Calumet Diversified Meats.
Approximately 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies, with over 30,000 being hospitalized each year and 200 dying from food allergy-related reactions. Although there is no cure, by companies such as Calumet taking a step in the right direction, it may save another life.
A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Individuals can be allergic to anything, but 90% of all food-allergic reactions occur from eight foods: milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. For more information on food allergies, please visit www.foodallergy.org.
Unlike food allergies, which affect only certain individuals and involve a specific response of the immune system, food sensitivities affect many more people. MSG is used widely as a flavor enhancer. Yet MSG sensitivity has commonly been described as headache, flushed appearance, tingling, weakness, and stomach ache. After eating meals prepared with MSG, people with MSG sensitivity may have any of these symptoms.
“We truly believe that using allergens or MSG is not necessary in our marinades and that working with these spice and seasoning companies we will develop a healthier pork injection,” said Larry Becker, Executive Vice President, Calumet Diversified Meats.
About Calumet Diversified Meats Inc.
Calumet Diversified Meats Inc., based in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin is a leading processor of pork products with over 30 years of experience in the meat packing industry. Calumet’s management team of men and women are the key players in this fast-paced business. Their talent, coupled with technology, has generated a level of innovation that is unsurpassed in the meat industry. From raw material to finished product, Calumet’s production team is helping it’s customers to create an eye-pleasing menu item to keep their customers returning again and again. For more information, please visit www.porkchops.com.
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Chef2Chef News Desk