WASHINGTON, Oct. 15—Sharon Packing Co.
Inc., a Sharon, Pa., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately
545 pounds of fresh ground beef products 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:
- Cases of "SHARON PACKING COMPANY, INC. BULK PATTY MIX."
The cases were packed to order containing unlabeled 5 lb. bags. Each
case is marked with the case code "SP243,"
- 10 lb. cases of "SHARON PACKING COMPANY, INC. BEEF
PATTIES," containing an unlabeled 10 1b. bag. Each case is marked
with the case code "SP358."
Each case is marked with the date code "A082" and bears the
establishment number "EST. 8550" inside the USDA seal of
inspection.
The ground beef was produced on Oct. 10 and distributed to restaurants
and institutions in Mercer County, Pa.
"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from
consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E.
coli O157:H7, diners may wish to ask if meals made with ground beef
contain the recalled product," said Thomas J. Billy, FSIS
administrator.
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, 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 and media with questions about the recall may contact David
Mogg, manager, Sharon Packing Co. Inc., at (724) 346-5574.
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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