WASHINGTON, November 17, 2002—Safeway Incorporated, operating as Safeway
Store # 1425, a retail store at 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C., is
voluntarily recalling approximately 115 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 following ground beef products were sold in
white foam trays of varying weights ranging from 1 to 5 pounds:
- "GR BF NOT LESS THAN 90% LN VPC, Safeway, Inc."
- "90% LEAN GROUND BEEF 10% FAT, Safeway, Inc."
Each package bears the sell by date code, "Nov
13, 02" and the store number, "1425."
The ground beef was produced on November 12 and
distributed to customers of the 401 M Street store in Washington, D.C.
"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 not to eat the suspect
product but to return it to the place of purchase," said Dr. Garry L. McKee,
FSIS administrator. "USDA is informing the public so consumers can check
their refrigerators or freezers for the product."
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS
microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses. Anyone
concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
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.
Media with questions about the recall may contact
Greg Teneycke, Safeway public affairs director, Eastern Division at (301)
918-7077. Consumers can contact Carole Wilson, Safeway food safety
environmental affairs director at (301) 918-8902. Consumers can also contact
Sharon Cohen, Washington, D.C. Department of Health, Food Protection
Division at (202) 535-2176.
Consumers with other 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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