WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2001 – Korte &
Co., Inc., an Easton, Pa., establishment, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 4,600 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 products being recalled are:
- Cases of "KORTE COMPANY, INC. Ground Beef." The cases were
packed to order containing individual packages of various weights
labeled "Korte’s BRAND" and each package bears
"EST.9364" inside the USDA seal of inspection. Each case is
marked with the case code "111105" and bears
"EST.9364" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
- 60 lb. Lugs (plastic containers) of "KORTE COMPANY, INC. Ground
Beef." Each lug is marked with a code date of "111105"
and bears "EST.9364" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The ground beef was produced on Nov. 5 and distributed to wholesale and
institutional establishments in Ephrata and Easton, Pa.
"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
Glavin, FSIS acting 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 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.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Ernest
Bassert, president Korte Co., Inc., at (610) 253-9141 or (610) 656-1896.
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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