WASHINGTON, May 21, 2002—Prevo's Family Market, a retail store at 1181 West
Randall St., Coopersville, Mich., is voluntarily recalling approximately 200
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 ground beef products being recalled are between 1 and 5 lb. packages
of:
- "Prevo's Family Market GROUND BEEF FROM CHUCK, SMALL,"
- "Prevo's Family Market GROUND BEEF FROM CHUCK, LARGE,"
- "Prevo's Family Market GROUND BEEF FROM CHUCK, FAMILY PACK,"
- "Prevo's Family Market GROUND BEEF FROM ROUND, SMALL,"
- "Prevo's Family Market GROUND BEEF, FAMILY PACK," and,
- "Prevo's Family Market GROUND BEEF FROM SIRLOIN, SMALL."
Each package bears "Sell By May15, 02" or "Sell
By
May 16, 02." The ground beef was produced on May
14 and 15.
"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 but to return it to the place of purchase,"
said William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "USDA is informing the
public so consumers can check their refrigerators and freezers."
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,
seniors 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 the Spartan Stores Consumer Affairs Hotline at 1-800-451-8500. Media
with questions may contact Jeanne Norcross, director of corporate
communications, Spartan Stores Inc., at (616) 878-2830.
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.
#
NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |
PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION
Although the product being recalled
should be returned to the place of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef
products should heed the following advice.
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. |