WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2002—Save-A-Lot, a
retail store at 3901 Fort St., Wyandotte, Mich., is voluntarily recalling
approximately 300 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 "SAVE-A-LOT ALL BEEF
HAMBURGER" and "SAVE-A-LOT FRESH GROUND BEEF FROM CHUCK."
The ground beef was produced on Feb. 13 and packaged in various sizes.
Each package label bears the sell-by date "Sell By Feb 15, 02."
"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 Ronald
Hicks, acting 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."
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS 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.
Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Dan
Kimack, manager of corporate communications, Save-A-Lot Foods, at (314)
592-9614.
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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