WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2001—Dominick’s
#1149, a retail store at 560 Schmale Rd., Carol Stream, Ill., is
voluntarily recalling approximately 180 pounds of fresh ground beef
products 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:
- "Ground Sirloin not less than 95% Lean,"
- "Ground Beef not less than 90% Lean,"
- "85% Lean Ground Beef, 15% Fat,"
- "Ground Beef NLT 80% Lean;" and
- "Ground Beef not less than 73% Lean."
The products were sold on Aug. 7 and 8. The products are packaged in
approximately 1 lb. trays and are labeled "Sell Thru 08/08/01."
"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 Thomas
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."
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 Angela
Ryan, public affairs manager, Dominick’s, at (630) 891-5181.
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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