WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2002--Publix, a retail store at 4849 Coconut Creek
Parkway, Coconut Creek, Fla., is voluntarily recalling approximately 120
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
packaged in foam trays of varying weights bearing the sell-by date
"12/07/02." The products subject to recall are:
- "PUBLIX BEEF LEAN GROUND (7% FAT),"
- "PUBLIX BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN,"
- "PUBLIX BEEF GROUND ROUND,"
- "PUBLIX BEEF GROUND CHUCK," and
- "PUBLIX BEEF GROUND."
The ground beef was produced on Dec. 5 and
distributed to customers of the Publix retail store in Coconut Creek, Fla.
"I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect
product not to eat it and return it to the place of purchase because of the
potential hazard of foodborne illness," said Garry L. McKee, 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,
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 and media with questions about the
recall may contact Maria Rodamis, Publix spokesperson, at (305) 652-2411
ext. 3810.
Consumers with 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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