WASHINGTON, May 12, 2002—HanAhReum Corporation, doing business as Han Ah
Reum Asian Mart, a retail store at 25 Lafayette Ave., Englewood, N.J., is
voluntarily recalling approximately 20 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 foam
trays of varying weights of Han Ah Reum "GROUND BEEF." Each package has a
sell-by date of "MAY 10.02."
The ground beef was produced on May 7.
"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne
illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria
such as E. coli O157:H7, I urge consumers who have purchased the
suspect product not to eat it and return it to the place of purchase," said
William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "USDA is informing the public
so consumers who may have purchased and stored the product in their
refrigerators or freezers will know to check."
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS
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 Sang Y. Shim, store manager, Han Ah Reum Asian Mart, at (201)
871-8822. Media with questions may contact Abel Ryu, director, HanAhReum
Corporation, at (718) 381-5500, ext. 233.
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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