STATEMENT OF TOM BILLY, ADMINISTRATOR
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
April 29, 1998
Immediately after
USDA's detection of E. coli 0157:H7 in one 20-lb. institutional
package of coarse ground beef, IBP, in cooperation with USDA, is
voluntarily recalling all 282,128 pounds of coarse ground beef
produced on April 14, 1998 at its Joslin, Illinois plant. Coarse
ground beef must be further processed before being sold to
consumers.
USDA's routine ground beef
testing program is conducted in meat plants and retail
establishments around the country. USDA has tested over 20,000
samples since October of 1994, and only 13 have been positive for
E. coli 0157:H7.
USDA has notified all state
health departments regarding this product. No reports of illness
associated with this product have been received by USDA or any of
the states.
The product was distributed
nationwide. States identified to USDA as having received the
product are Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, Illinois, Louisiana,
Kansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina,
Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Indiana, West Virginia, Mississippi,
Nebraska, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. One military shipment of 215
cases, destined for Europe, is currently being retrieved.
USDA officials have visited the
IBP facility and continue to work closely with IBP in ensuring
all product is removed from commerce as soon as possible.
Consumers are reminded to always
cook all ground meat products thoroughly to an internal
temperature of 160 degrees.
For further information, call the
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-800-535-4555.
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