Illinois Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Illinois Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-022-2009	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bryn Burkard

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2009 - Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley, Ill., establishment is recalling approximately 95,898 pounds 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 (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 with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F.

Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

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.

Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

The products subject to recall include: [View Labels, PDF Only, 1.7mb]

3S Brand Products:

10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95554."
10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95556."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95573."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95574."

Grillmaster Brand Products:

10-pound cases containing a total of 100 (10-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95588."
10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95500."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95502."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." The cases can be identified by the case codes "95504" and "95505."
10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95508."
10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95509."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER BEEF PATTIE." Each case can be identified by the case code "95512."

J & B Brand Products:

10.5 pound cases containing a total of 28, 6-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF HOAGIE PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51706."
10.5 pound cases containing a total of 14, 12-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF DINNER PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51312."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11028."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11024."
10-pound cases containing a total of 10 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT VEAL LUNCHEON CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "13014."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN SEASONED GROUND BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "11384BR."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 packages (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "J1004."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51803."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51804."

Klub Brand Products:

10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95565."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95567."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95568."
10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95583."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95584."

Thick 'N Savory Brand Products:

10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95579."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95580."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95581."

Ultimate Brand Products:

10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1012CL."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1013CL."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1014CL."

Products with No Specified Name Brand:

10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50123."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50125."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50127."
10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3253."
10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3254."
10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3255."
24.75-pound cases containing a total of 144 "KEEP RERIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "8218."
20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020EC."
40-pound cases containing a total of 8 (8 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020VP."
20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8515."
20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020ECF."
20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "10201."
20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND MEAT." Each package bears the identifying case code "10301."

Additionally, each product bears the establishment number "EST. 5712" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The (2-1), (3-1), (4-1), (5-1) and (6-1) markings refer to the number of portions per one-pound.

These ground beef products were produced on March 10, 2009, and were distributed to various consignees nationwide.

The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

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.

Media and consumers questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company spokesperson at (309) 799-7341.

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.

www.fsis.usda.gov

Food Safety Questions? Ask Karen!
FSIS' automated response system can provide food safety information 24/7

Last Modified: May 21, 2009

USDA Recall Classifications
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.
Class III	This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.


			News Releases


				FSIS Recalls

				Video News Releases

				RSS Feeds


			Meetings & Events

			Speeches & Presentations

			Communications to Congress

			Newsletters & Magazines

			Image Libraries

			Multimedia

FSIS Advertisement Rotator

Link to Ask Karen: USDA's Virtual Representative