WASHINGTON, Sept.
6--Rochester Meat Co., a Rochester, Minnesota, firm is voluntarily
recalling approximately 30,000 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 products being
recalled are 1/4- and 1/3-pound portions of "SIMEK’S" brand
frozen beef patties packaged for bulk sale. Each bulk package has a
manufacturing lot number beginning with "0162," and bears the
establishment number "8999" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The products being
recalled from retail stores are "SIMEK’S" brand:
- 10-pound boxes of "100% PURE -
THICK GROUND BEEF PATTIES" in 1/4-pound portions
- 6-pound boxes of "100% Pure Jumbo
Ground Beef Patties" in 1/3-pound portions
- 2-pound bags of "Lean Beef
Patties" in 1/4-pound portions packaged six bags to each 12-pound
box (The bag does not bear the manufacturing lot number, but the box
does)
The ground beef
was produced on June 10 and distributed to retail establishments in
Minnesota.
"Because of
the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of meat
products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, I urge
consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and return
it to the place of purchase," said Thomas Billy, FSIS administrator.
"USDA is informing the public so consumers who may have purchased and
stored the product in their freezers can know to check."
Based on reported
illnesses, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected and tested
samples of ground beef patties. Product from the production lot of ground
beef patties being recalled today tested positive for E. coli
O157:H7 by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The Minnesota
Department of Agriculture notified the Rochester Meat Co. that a link had
been established between three illnesses and a non-intact package of
ground beef patties produced at the firm. The Rochester Meat Co. notified
FSIS of its decision to recall the products.
E. coli
O157:H7 is a potentially deadly pathogen 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.
Consumers with
questions about the recall may contact Neal Karels, Rochester Meat Co., at
(507) 529-4711. Media with questions may contact Joanne Randen, Rochester
Meat Co., at (507) 529-4723.
Consumers with
food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry
Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday, and recorded food safety
messages are available 24 hours a day.
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