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| Ohio Firm Expands Recall of 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, Jul 3, 2008 – The Kroger Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio, retailer is expanding its June 25 recall to include
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 recall is being expanded based on the ongoing epidemiological and traceback investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak.
The recall includes ground beef products packaged in Styrofoam trays and wrapped in clear cellophane, which were available at
"in-store" service counters, with various sell-by dates between May 17 and July 5, at the following Kroger retail establishments:
- Fred Meyer - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/05/08."
- QFC - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/05/08."
- Kroger stores (except in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Knoxville, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) - Product
with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Kroger Mid-Atlantic division - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/19/08" and "07/03/08."
- Fry's - "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Ralph's - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Smith's - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Baker's - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/17/08" and "07/03/08"
- King Soopers - Product with "Sell By" dates between "6/20/08" and "07/03/08."
- City Market - Product with "Sell By" dates between "06/20/08" and "07/03/08."
- Hilander - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Owen's - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Pay Less - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Scott's - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/21/08" and "07/03/08."
- Dillons - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/17/08" and "07/03/08."
- Gerbes - Product with "Sell By" dates between "05/17/08" and "07/03/08."
The following product is also subject to recall:
- 16-ounce packages of "Private Selection Natural Ground Beef," with "Sell By" dates between "07/11/08" and "07/21/08." The
product was distributed to all Kroger retail establishments, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Baker's, Smith's and Fry's, including Kroger
Mid-Atlantic and stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and discard or return the ground beef products for a refund.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked
temperature of 160º F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a
thermometer to measure the internal temperature.
The June 25 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 foodborne illnesses. Currently, there are 41 illnesses reported in Michigan (21) and Ohio (20). 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:
Jul 3, 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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