FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 3, 2004

MEDIA CONTACT:                    Mary McMillen, Director of Consumer Affairs

Phone:                                           330-264-4355

Buehler's Issues Warning About Potential E. Coli Contamination

Wooster, Ohio - Buehler Food Markets, Inc. has issued a warning that meat products processed in its Wooster plant may be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a recall of meat from Excel during routine monitoring of the food supply for possible contamination. The firm distributed some of its 45,000 lbs. of meat to Ohio, and Buehler's reprocessed some of the meat into products sold at its Ohio stores.   Although no illnesses have been associated with these products, we are voluntarily recalling them as a precautionary measure.

The products subject to the warning are described below:

Macaroni and Beef in Sauce purchased in either the Deli with an expiration date of 5/19/04 on the Buehler Logo Price Sticker, or from the Salad Bar from 4/20/04 to 4/30/04.

Johnny Marzetti purchased in either the Deli with an expiration date of 5/18/04 on the Buehler Logo Price Sticker, or from the Salad Bar from 4/21/04 to 4/30/04.

Buehler's Meatloaf purchased from either the Deli, Salad Bar or Meat Department from 4/20/04 through 5/1/04.  

This recall affects all Buehler stores located in Ashland, Coshocton, Delaware, Dover Parkside, Medina Forest Meadows and River Styx, New Philadelphia, Orrville, Wadsworth, Wooster Milltown and Towne Market.   

Consumers who have purchased any of these products with the dates listed, should return them to the place of purchase for a refund.  

Buehler's is a state licensed meat processing establishment inspected daily by the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Meat Inspection Division.