WASHINGTON, July 15, 2002—Carneco Foods, LLC, a Columbus, Neb., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 131,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The ground beef products being recalled are:

·         6-lb. bags of "NORTHERN PLAINS Beef Sirloin AND BEEF PATTIES 85/15." Each bag bears a code of " 0205321P."

·         6-lb. bags of "NORTHERN PLAINS Ground Beef PATTIES 80/20." Each bag bears a code of "02053A1P" or "0205321P."

·         10-lb. boxes of "NORTHERN PLAINS Gourmet Beef PATTIES." Each box bears a production code between "20020531317" and "20020530500."

·         7-lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF PATTIES (MISFORMED)." Each box bears a production code between "20020531317" and "20020530500."

Each bag or box also bears "EST. 245P" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The ground beef patties were produced on Feb. 22, 2002, and distributed to retail establishments nationwide. 

"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and return it to the place of purchase," said Linda Swacina, acting FSIS administrator. "USDA is informing the public so consumers who may have purchased and stored the product in their refrigerators or freezers will know to check."

Carneco Foods discovered the problem after being notified by its supplier that it had shipped Carneco Foods product that had been adulterated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS has initiated an investigation into the shipment of the product.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the Carneco Foods Customer Hotline at 1-866-824-6243. Media with questions may contact John Schaller, Division vice president of operations, at 405-603-7936.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION

Although the product being recalled should be returned to the place of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should heed the following advice.

Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 ºF. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 ºF throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.

The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate digital instant-read thermometer.

Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 ºF has been reached is a significant risk factor for foodborne illness.

Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.