Recall For Possible E. coli O157:H7

Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products for Possible E. Coli O157:H7

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-026-2005	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Autumn Canaday

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2005 - Murry’s, Inc., a Lebanon, Penn. firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 63,850 pounds of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

All of the products subject to recall contain the production code “40104” and bear the establishment number “EST. 516A” inside the USDA seal of inspection.

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.

Products subject to recall include:

Packages of “MURRY’S 100% PURE BEEF Jumbo Beef Patties.” Each package contains 6-6.4 ounce patties. The item code, “06716” is listed on the label. The patties were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to retail customers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
20-ounce packages of “MURRY’S Family of Fine Foods Gourmet Meatballs, Oven Ready, Cooks in 15 Minutes.” The item code, “63101” is listed on the label. The meatballs were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to retail customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.
10-pound boxes of “MURRY’S Steaks and Other Fine Foods, 01357, 4B WIDE 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES, NET WT. 10 LBS. The patties were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to foodservice customers in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
10-pound boxes of “MURRY’S Steaks and Other Fine Foods, 01340, 2 OUNCE 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES, NET WT. 10 LBS.” The patties were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to retail customers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

The recall was prompted by epidemiological evidence provided to FSIS by the state of New Jersey related to an illness linked to consumption of this product.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Media with questions about the recall should contact company President and Chief Executive Officer
Ira Mendelson at (301) 420-6400, ext. 800. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Senior Vice-President-Food Store Division Gary Gold at (301) 420-6400, ext. 825.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). The hotline 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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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov

Product Labels:
Murry's Beef Patties

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.


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