WASHINGTON, March 14, 2001–Kenny’s
Markets, a Minneapolis, Minn., firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 90 pounds of frozen 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 wrapped in approximately 1- pound
packages and marked with a "Kenny’s Food Market" label. Each
package has a packaging date of "03-08-2001"and bears the
establishment number "EST. 8978" inside the USDA seal of
inspection.
The ground beef was produced on March 8 and distributed at Kenny’s
Market.
"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 and media with questions may contact David
Petty, manager of Kenny’s Food Markets, at (612) 866-6819.
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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