WASHINGTON, June 11, 2002-- Toba of Iowa, LLC, a
Sioux City, Iowa, establishment, also doing business as PA Braunger Food
Service, is voluntarily recalling approximately 330 pounds of fresh, ground
beef 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 10
lb. tubes of "Braunger’s Ground Beef." The tubes were distributed
individually or packed in 60 lb. boxes. When packaged individually, tubes
are marked with a label that bears establishment number "EST. 2302" inside
the USDA seal of inspection. When the tubes are packaged in the 60 lb.
boxes, the box is marked with establishment number "EST. 2302" inside the
USDA seal of inspection. The individually packed tubes and the boxes bear a
sticker marked with a date of "6/6/02."
The ground beef was produced on June 6 and
distributed to restaurants and food service establishments in Iowa and
Nebraska.
"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne
illness from consumption of products contaminated with E. coli
O157:H7, we want consumers to be aware of the recall," said Linda M. Swacina,
acting FSIS administrator. "Diners may wish to ask if meals made with ground
beef contain the recalled product."
The problem was discovered through routine
microbiological sampling.
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.
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 Jeff Ramien, controller, PA Braunger Food Service, at (712)
258-4515. Media with questions may contact Tony Wald, owner, PA Braunger
Food Service, at (308) 382-6581.
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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