WASHINGTON, June 30, 2002—ConAgra Beef Company, a Greeley, Colo., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 354,200 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following cases of ground beef products being recalled are marked with the package code "Freeze or sell by 06 18 02," and each case contains six ten-pound chubs.

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 75/25 Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42122";

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Sirloin 90/10 Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42132";

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 81/19 Coarse Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42141";

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42162";

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Chuck Coarse Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42169";

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Round Coarse Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42171";

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Round Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42172"; and

·         "CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF," "Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42262."

The following cases of ground beef products being recalled are marked with a package code "Freeze or sell by 06 18 02," and each case contains eight ten-pound chubs.

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 81/19 Coarse Grind, 8-10# Chubs" with the case code "42410";

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 81/19 Fine Grind, 8-10# Chubs" with the case code "42499"; and

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 73/27 Coarse Grind, 8-10# Chubs" with the case code "42510."

The following ground beef product being recalled is marked with a package code "Freeze or Sell by 06 18 02" and is packaged in cases, with each one containing 12 five-pound chubs.

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 73/27 Fine Grind, 12-5# Chubs" with the case code "42816." Each retail chub contains the label "GROUND BEEF."

The following ground beef product being recalled is marked with a Julian date code of "151 02" on each case, and each case contains 36 one-pound chubs.

·         "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 36-1# Chubs" with the case code "42862." Each frozen retail chub contains the label "GROUND BEEF CHUCK."

The labels on all products being recalled bear the

establishment code "EST. 969" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The ground beef was produced on May 31 and distributed to retail, food service and institutional establishments nationwide. The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological traceback sampling.

"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. Also, diners may wish to ask if their meals contain the recalled product."

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors 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 Jim Herlihy, vice president of communications and consumer affairs, ConAgra Beef Company, at (970) 506-8052.

Consumers with other 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.