WASHINGTON, OCT. 31– Badgerland Meat and Provisions, a Madison, Wisc.,
firm is voluntarily recalling approximately 750 pounds of 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 products subject to recall are:
-
"Wisconsin Premier FRESH GROUND BEEF PATTIES," in 1.5 lb. retail
packages of 6 patties, 4 oz. each. Each package bears the establishment
number "Est. 1267" inside the USDA seal of inspection; and
- 10 lb. to 40 lb. boxes of "GROUND BEEF" and "GROUND BEEF
PATTIES." Each box is marked with a date code of "10 25 00"
and bears the establishment number "Est. 1267" inside the USDA
seal of inspection.
The ground beef was produced on Oct. 25. The retail packages were
distributed to stores in Beloit, Kenosha, and Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 10
lb. to 40 lb. boxes were distributed to restaurants and taverns in
Madison, Wisconsin.
"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from
consumption of meat products contaminated with pathogens such as the E.
coli O157:H7 bacteria, I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect
product not to eat it and return it to the place of purchase,"said
Thomas J. 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."
Consumers may wish to ask at the restaurants where they buy meals
containing ground beef if the restaurant received any of the recalled
product.
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological
sampling.
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.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption
of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a
physician.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Mike DuPlayee,
plant manager, Badgerland Meat and Provisions LLC, at (608) 271-9735.
Media with questions may contact Pat Mackesey, president, Badgerland Meat
and Provisions LLC, at (608) 244-1934.
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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