WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2000--Callaway Packing Inc., a Delta, Colo., processing firm, is
voluntarily recalling approximately 4,600 pounds of ground beef, ground beef patties, beef
patty mix, and beef cube steak 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 was produced
Feb. 10. The beef patties and beef cube steak were distributed to a prison in Colorado.
Ground beef and beef patty mix were distributed to restaurants in Glenwood Springs,
Montrose, Delta, Rifle, Mesa, New Castle, and Durango, Colo.
The boxes of ground beef
products bear "EST. 688" within the USDA mark of inspection on the package label
and lot code 1101 on the box. Consumers may wish to ask at the restaurants where they buy
meals containing ground beef if the restaurant received any of the recalled product.
Consumers with questions about
the recall may contact David Dillie, Callaway Packing Inc., tel. (970) 874-9743.
"Because of the potential
for foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Margaret
O'K. Glavin, acting administrator of FSIS. "This is an opportunity to remind
consumers to always follow the safe handling instructions required on all raw meat and
poultry products and cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F."
The problem was discovered
through FSIS routine testing.
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.
FSIS has received no reports of
illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness
should contact a physician.
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.
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