Maine Firm Recalls Poultry Products

Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen, a Whitefield company, is voluntarily recalling all Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen brand poultry products that did not receive the full benefit of inspection. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Maine Meat and Poultry Inspection program made the announcement May 29.

Jyang-Lee’s Kitchens is a one-woman business based in Coopers Mills. The recall was issued because the business had not been issued a state or USDA Grant of Inspection. Without the grant of inspection, USDA inspectors were not assigned to the company.

Products produced without inspection are considered unfit for human consumption and must be recalled. The products subject to recall include Jyang-Lee’s Turkey Wonton, Mainely-Turkey Elegant Eggroll, and Turkey Dumpling products.

The turkey products included were shipped to Maine retailers only. Consumers may return any of the recalled turkey products to the retailer of purchase, or contact Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen 549-4507.

The problem was discovered when Maine Meat and Poultry Inspection program personnel observed Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen turkey products offered for sale at retail not bearing the mark of inspection and began an investigation into the establishment.

The state program routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

The Maine Meat and Poultry Inspection program and the company have received no reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products.

Business owner Angela Fargin said she was surprised by the order which came down quickly, last Thursday, following an inspection last Wednesday. Fargin has been in business for 19 years without a single customer complaint, she said.

Fargin acknowledged the recall was voluntary only in that she had few other options. She is considering possible legal options, but she does not have the resources for a potentially expensive legal suit.

Fargin said she has been directed to use a larger processor to make and package her products but that would cut into her bottom line and it would take her company out of the small business supply chains she has relied on since she launched the business in 1995.

“I don’t know, I don’t have a solution right now,” Fargin said. “Life is not just yes and no. They gave me one solution: I need to work in big company, because a big company has USDA inspector people.”

Fargin said that solution is not a suitable option because it would eliminate her control of her poultry supply. “If I ask them, where does your meat come from, they don’t answer me,” she said. “I use local stuff. I make unique Chinese food, I use local ingredients.”

Currently, Fargin purchases the turkeys she uses in her products live. The birds are raised and eventually processed by Maine-ly Poultry in Warren, which is a USDA certified facility. The issue is that Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen is adding ingredients to the meat, therefore Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen needs to be similarly USDA certified.

As a result of the recall, Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen is down to about half of their product line, primarily vegetarian and seafood dishes.

The immediate result is the loss of $1800 worth of product with more coming, Fargin said May 30.

Fargin said food safety is a point of pride with her. She prides herself on running a clean operation that relies on small local farms for supplies.

“I have been in this country almost 20 years,” Fargin said. “It will be 20 years next fall. I got my American Dream. I got my business. I am making money and now this…What about small business in Maine,” she said. “Maine is supposed to be friendly to small business.”

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Angela Fargin, with Jyang-Lee’s Kitchen at 549-4507.

Consumer complaints regarding meat and poultry products from Maine processors can be addressed to the Maine Meat and Poultry Inspection program at 287-3841.