WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2002—Kroger, store #624, a retail store at 1009 West
Main St., Russellville, Ark., is voluntarily recalling approximately 240
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 foam trays of
varying weights containing:
- "Kroger BEEF GROUND, GROUND BEEF AP2 73% LEAN,"
- "Kroger BEEF GROUND, GROUND ROUND 85% LEAN," and,
- "Kroger BEEF GROUND, GROUND CHUCK 80% LEAN AP2."
Each package bears a sell-by date of "Sell By
08/15/02."
The ground beef was produced on August 14 and
distributed at this specific retail store in Russellville, Ark.
"Because of the potential for foodborne illness,
I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product to return it to the
place of purchase," said William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator.
"USDA is informing the public so consumers will know to check their
refrigerators or 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 Kroger Consumer Product Line at (800) 632-6900. Media with
questions may contact Whitney Atkins, associate advertising manager, Kroger,
at (901) 765-4315.
Consumers with other food safety questions can
phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The
hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety
messages are available 24 hours a day.
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