WASHINGTON, June 24, 2002 – Harris Teeter,
a retail store located at 4421 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, N.C., is voluntarily
recalling approximately 25 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 being recalled is “HT PREMIUM GR BF 80% LN
20% FAT,” packed in foam trays, with packages varying in weight
between 1 and 1.5 lbs. Each package is marked with a sell-by date
of “06/19/02.”
The ground beef was produced on June 18.
“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 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 Beverly Griffin,
Harris Teeter, manager of customer relations, at (704) 844-3465. Media
with questions may contact Jessica Graham, Harris Teeter, corporate
communications manager, at (704) 844-3904.
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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