WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2001—Jewel-Osco,
operating as Jewel Store #333, a retail store at 333 E. Euclid, Mount
Prospect, Ill., is voluntarily recalling approximately 280 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 was produced on Dec. 5.
The following ground beef products were sold as prepackaged units of
various weights at the self-service meat section of the store and indicate
"Sell By 12/06/01":
- "GROUND BEEF NOT LESS THAN 75% LN"
- "GRND CHUCK NOT LESS THAN 80% LN"
- "GROUND ROUND NOT LESS THN 85% LN" and
- "GROUND SIRLOIN NOT LS THN 95% LN."
In addition, the following product was sold in bulk out of the display
case, wrapped by a butcher for individual customers when purchased, and
indicates "Sell By Dec 05, 01":
- "SRLN GRND BEEF NT LS THN 95% LN."
"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 Margaret
O’K. Glavin, acting 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 Jewel-Osco’s
Customer Service Line at (800) 539-3561. Media with questions may contact
Karen Ramos, pubic affairs director at Jewel-Osco, at (847) 916-4394.
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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