Maine Firm Recalls Ground and Tenderized Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Date of Recall

2012-04-11

Recall Details

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 - Town and Country Foods Inc., a Greene, Maine establishment, is recalling approximately 2,057 pounds of ground and tenderized beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

	PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov Wash hands before and after handling raw meat with warm/hot (preferred) or cold soapy running water by rubbing hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Also wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot (preferred), soapy water and clean up any spills right away. The mechanical action of vigorous rubbing of hands and utensils/surfaces creates friction that helps to dislodge bacteria and viruses from hands and surfaces. Additionally, warm/hot water helps to dissolve fats/foods, aiding in cleaning/microbe removal and can also assist in deactivation of pathogens. For more information on hand washing, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ handwashing. If soapy water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations. However, sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs, including viruses. Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be thoroughly cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry, and their juices and thoroughly cooked foods. Thoroughly cook ground meat such as beef to an internal temperature of 160° F, as measured with a food thermometer, before eating. Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase (one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F). Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

• 5- and 10- lb. boxes of 2-, 2.6-, 3-, and 4- oz. ?Town & Country Foods XL Hamburg Patties?
• 5- and 10- lb. boxes of 2-, 2.6-, 3-, and 4- oz. ?Town & Country Foods Hamburg Patties?
• 10- lb. box containing variously weighted bags of ?Town & Country Beef for Stewing?
• 6-, 8-, and 10- oz. ?Town & Country Beef Sirloin Filets?
• 5- and 10- lb. boxes containing variously weighted bags of ?Town and Country Hamburg?
• 5- and 10- lb. boxes containing variously weighted bags of ?Town and Country XL Hamburg?
  
  

Each case bears a label with the establishment number ?EST. 9710? inside the USDA mark of inspection. Additionally, the products contain the following packaging codes: 10952, 10962, 10972, 11002, and 11012. The products subject to recall were produced between April 4, 2012 and April 10, 2012 and were shipped to wholesale and retail establishments in Maine. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on FSIS' website at www.fsis.usda.gov/
FSIS_Recalls/
Open_Federal_Cases
/index.asp.

The problem was discovered through company lab testing which confirmed a positive result for E.coli O157:H7. The company did not hold product pending test results, resulting in this recall. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and to ensure that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

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.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160? F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Consumers and media with questions regarding the recall should contact Karen Brackett of Town & Country Foods, Inc. at (207) 946-5489.

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