WASHINGTON, March 8, 2003 — PM Windom, a Windom, Minn., establishment, is
voluntarily recalling approximately 1,126 pounds of beef trim that may be
contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The products subject to recall are:
- Various weight combination bins with a package label bearing "BEEF
USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER," "40000217005 BNLS SHANK" and "COMBO" containing
beef trim;
- Various weight combination boxes with a package label bearing "BEEF"
and "HEEL OF ROUND 371009" containing beef trim;
- Various weight boxes with a package label bearing "BEEF," "BNLS.
TRIMMINGS 340072" "and "PREMIUM TRIM" and
- Various weight boxes with a package label bearing "BEEF USDA CHOICE OR
HIGHER" and "BNLS. TRIMMINGS 240072," and "PREMIUM TRIM."
The products were produced on Feb. 22 and
distributed to wholesale distributors in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and
Wisconsin.
"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne
illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria
such as E. coli O157:H7, wholesale distributors in the distribution
area should check to see if they have the recalled product and return it to
the company," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator.
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.
The company discovered the problem through
third-party laboratory sampling and notified FSIS. FSIS has received no
reports of illness associated with this product. Anyone concerned about an
illness should contact a physician.
Media and consumers with questions about the
recall may contact LeAnn Saunders, PM Windom vice president of marketing and
communications at (816) 880-9500 ext. 11.
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.
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