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| California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination |
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| Recall Release |
CLASS I RECALL |
| FSIS-RC-065-2009 |
HEALTH RISK: HIGH |
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Adrian Gianforti
WASHINGTON, December 4, 2009 - Beef Packers, Inc., a Fresno, Calif., establishment, is recalling
approximately 22,723 pounds of ground beef products that may be linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The products subject to recall include:
- 60 pound cases of "GRD Beef Fine 93/07 10/60." Each case bears the identifying case code W69363 with Use/Freeze by dates of 10/11/09.
The ground beef products were produced on September 23, 2009 and bear the establishment number
"EST. 31913" printed on the case code labels. The ground beef products were distributed
to a retail distribution center in Arizona. Because these products were repackaged into consumer-size
packages and sold under different retail brand names, consumers should check with their local retailer
to determine whether they may have purchased any of the products subject to recall.
As a result of an ongoing investigation into illnesses from Salmonella Newport associated
with ground beef products, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) notified FSIS of the
situation. Epidemiological and traceback investigations conducted by FSIS and ADHS determined that
there is an association between the fresh ground beef products and two (2) illnesses reported in Arizona.
The Salmonella Newport strain was isolated both from the patients and from ground beef produced
by Est. 31913. They were also linked by their uncommon pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern
found in PulseNet, a national network of
public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company's Consumer Line at (877) 435-4071.
Media with questions should contact company Director of Communications Mark Klein (952) 742-6211.
Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most
common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially
to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or
undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps,
and fever within eight to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting
that can last up to seven days.
This particular strain of Salmonella Newport is resistant to many commonly prescribed drugs,
which can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.
FSIS would like to remind consumers of the importance of following food safety guidelines when handling
and preparing raw meat. All consumers should safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and
frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of
160° F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill
harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.
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.
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Last Modified: March 25, 2010 |
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USDA Recall Classifications
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| 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.
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| Class II |
This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
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| Class III |
This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.
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