California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-052-2009	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Adrian Gianforti

WASHINGTON, October 13, 2009 - San Diego Meat Company, a San Diego, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 925 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:

" 15-pound cases of "SAN DIEGO MEAT, GROUND BEEF PATTIES."
" 10-pound bags of "SAN DIEGO MEAT, BULK GROUND BEEF."

Each case and bag bears establishment number "EST. 4116" inside the USDA marks of inspection and "Safe Handling Instructions" on the back. The front of each package advises "KEEP REFRIGERATED."

The above products were produced October 7, 2009 through October 9, 2009 and October 12, 2009 and were distributed to restaurants and two caterers in the San Diego County area.

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

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. 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 with questions regarding the recall should contact company Establishment Owner, Bob Watkins at 619-233-8871.

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: October 13, 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


	To view PDF files you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.

FSIS Advertisement Rotator

Link to National Food Safety Education Month Information