OHIO
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Recall
Announcement (ODA/ODH) 2003-11a
March 13, 2003
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Editors Note: This release was
updated to reflect the addition of product code information. |
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WASHINGTON,—Green Bay
Dressed Beef, doing business as American Foods Group, a Sharonville,
Ohio, establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 106,000
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 products subject to recall are 1 to 3
lb. trays of:
Each product bears the establishment
number "EST. 20983" inside the USDA seal of inspection. In
addition, each label bears the packaging code "3024" or
"3025" below the Kroger brand logo. Also subject to recall are 1 to 3 lb.
trays of: ·
"Meijer, GROUND BEEF CHUCK." Each label bears the USDA
establishment number "EST. 20983" inside the USDA seal of
inspection. Each label also bears the packaging code "3024"
below the bar code. The products were produced on January 24
and distributed to retail stores in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West
Virginia. "Because of the potential hazard of
foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with
harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, consumers should check
to see if they have the recalled product and return it to the point of
purchase," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. This action is being taken based on the
results of laboratory samples collected by the state of Ohio in response
to several illnesses in that state. The recalled product has not been
linked to E.coli-related illnesses there. Anyone concerned about
an illness should contact a physician. 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. Media with questions about the recall may
contact Jim Mulhern, company media representative, at (202) 496-2468.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Sally VandeHei,
company consumer representative, at (800) 829-2838. 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. NOTE: Access news releases and other
information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov
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PREPARING
GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION USDA
Meat and Poultry Hotline 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. |