The products subject to recall are five and 10-pound packages of ground beef produced on May 13. The ground beef was distributed to wholesalers, distributors, and grocery stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Ground beef distributed to wholesalers bears pack date "05/13/00" and code "245J00134" on the box. The packages inside the box bear a three-line code of: "EST 245J" on line one; "134 00" followed by "A" or "B" on line two; and one of the following descriptions on line three: "#81 CHUCK," "#81 GR BEEF," "#73 GR BEEF," "SIRLOIN," "#75 GR BEEF," "#93 GR BEEF," or "#86 ROUND."

Five-pound packages distributed to retail stores in these states for further processing bear code "D0881BH" and have the following three-line code near the seam of the package: "EST 245 J" on line one; "SELL/FREEZE BY"on line two, and "MAY 31A"on line three.

Some ground beef has been repackaged at retail stores and no longer bears the identity of the IBP plant. Consumers may wish to ask at the store where they buy ground beef if the store received any of the recalled product.

"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness, we want consumers to be aware of the recall,"said Thomas J. Billy, FSIS administrator. "This is an opportunity to remind consumers to always follow the safe handling instructions required on all raw meat and poultry products and cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F."

The problem was discovered through samples collected by FSIS and the Arkansas Department of Health.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly pathogen 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. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Gary Mickelson, media relations manager, IBP, Inc., at 1-877-388-5184.

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; however, recorded messages are available 24 hours a day.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov

Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 ºF. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 ºF throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.

The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate digital instant-read thermometer.

Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 ºF has been reached is a significant risk factor for foodborne illness.

Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.