Washington Firm Recalls Ground Beef for Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Date of Recall

2007-03-02

Recall Details

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2007 - Tyson Fresh Meats, a Wallula, Wash., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 16,743 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department 4 of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

	Preparing Ground Beef For Safe Consumption USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov Although the product(s) being recalled should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should heed the following advice. Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 °F. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 °F throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color. The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate food thermometer. Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7. Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 °F has been reached is a significant risk factor for foodborne illness. Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.

The products subject to recall include:

• 60-pound boxes containing six 10-pound chubs of "ROUND, COARSE GROUND BEEF, 85/15." The box end also bears a label with the establishment number "Est. 9268" as well as a "BEST BEFORE OR FROZEN BY" date of "03/08/07" and packaging date "02/16/07."

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling at another federally inspected establishment. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

The ground beef was produced on Feb. 16, 2007 and was sent to distributors in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

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