Illinois Firm Recalls Beef Products For Possible E. coli
O157:H7
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2003—Stampede Meat, Inc.,
a Chicago, Ill., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately
739,000 pounds of frozen beef products, mostly vacuum packaged steaks,
that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The products subject to recall were produced
between March 17 and March 22, 2003, and bear the establishment code "EST.
19113" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were distributed
to restaurants, institutions and retail stores nationwide. The products
were also distributed to consumers through door-to-door sales.
Additionally, the products were distributed to institutions in Canada.
The recall was initiated after epidemiological
case studies conducted by public health officials concluded the recalled
product may be linked to five E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in
Minnesota, Kansas and Michigan.
Public health officials from FSIS, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, and several state health departments
are continuing to investigate the extent of the outbreak and determine if
additional products are linked to illnesses reported. Anyone concerned
about an illness should contact a physician immediately.
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.
Generally, steaks are not considered a
high-risk source of E. coli O157: H7. However, the products subject
to recall were injected with tenderizers and flavor-enhancing solutions,
and that process may have transferred the bacteria from the surface to the
inside of the product. Consumers should return the recalled products to
the point of purchase and cook similar (tenderized) products to an
internal temperature of 160 degrees as measured with a food thermometer.
Consumers and media with questions about the
recall may contact Bill Asleson, company executive manager, at (800)
353-0933. 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.
USDA
RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS
Class I This is a health hazard situation
where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious,
adverse health consequences or death.
Class II This is a health hazard
situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use
of the product.
Class III This is a situation where
the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences. |
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