WASHINGTON, August 6, 2002–
Kroger, Store # 888, a retail store located at 3046 Dickerson Road,
Nashville, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling approximately 19 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 approximately three-pound
foam trays of, "Kroger, STORE-MADE GROUND BEEF." Each package bears a sell
by date, "Aug 01, 02."
The ground beef was produced on July 31, 2002 and distributed to
customers of the Dickerson Road Kroger store.
"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of
meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli
O157:H7, consumers who have purchased this product should not 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 by
FSIS.
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.
Media with questions about the recall may contact Gary Rhodes, director
of communications, at (513) 762-1304. Consumers with questions about the
recall may contact the Kroger Consumer Hotline toll-free at (800) 632-6900.
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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