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| Ohio Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible
E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination |
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| Retail Recall Release |
CLASS I RECALL |
| FSIS-R01-2008 |
HEALTH RISK: HIGH |
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2008 – The Kroger Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio, retailer is recalling
an undetermined amount of 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 products subject to recall include all varieties and weights of ground beef products bearing
a Kroger label sold between May 21 and June 8 at Michigan and Central and Northwestern Ohio Kroger retail establishments. These ground beef products also include a sell-by date between "05/21/08"
and "06/08/08."
These products were distributed to Kroger stores in Michigan and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio. FSIS
has confirmed that none of the affected products remain available for purchase at stores; however
consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and discard or return the ground
beef products for a refund.
This recall was initiated after epidemiological investigations and a case control study conducted
by the Michigan and Ohio Departments of Agriculture and Health and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention determined that there is an association between the ground beef products and 32
illnesses reported in Michigan (15) and Ohio (17). The illnesses were linked through the epidemiological
investigation by their pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern, or DNA fingerprint, found
in PulseNet, a database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anyone with
signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a medical professional.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration,
and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune
systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the Kroger Consumer Hotline at (800)
632-6900. Media with questions about the recall should contact company Director of Corporate Affairs
Meghan Glynn at (513) 762-1304.
Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available
24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and
Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be
reached from l0 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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Last Modified:
June 25, 2008 |
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| USDA Recall Classifications
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| Class I |
This is a health hazard situation
where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse
health consequences or death. |
| Class II |
This is a health hazard situation
where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
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| Class III |
This is a situation where the
use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences. |
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