WASHINGTON, July 31,
2001-Stop & Shop #725, a retail store at 333 West River St.,
Providence, R.I., is voluntarily recalling approximately 300 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 were produced on July 26 and were packaged in various sizes. Each
package bears the name "STOP & SHOP" and a sell by date of
"7/27."
These products include:
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"75% LEAN 25% FAT GROUND BEEF,"
-
"80% LEAN GROUND BEEF CHUCK,"
-
"85% LEAN 15% FAT CERTIFIED GROUND ROUND,"
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"GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN 87% LEAN 13% FAT,"
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"GROUND BEEF 90% LEAN 10% FAT," and
-
"GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN 7% FAT."
"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 Thomas Billy, FSIS administrator.
"USDA is informing the public
so consumers who may have purchased and stored the product in their
refrigerators or freezers can 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, 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 questions about the
recall may contact Eileen Kuntz, Stop & Shop consumer relations
associate, at (800) 767-7772. Media with questions may contact Kelly
O'Connor, Stop & Shop manager of communications, at (617) 770-6037.
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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