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.
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