Food Safety and Inspection Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700

Recall Release
RC-FSIS-018-2002

Illinois Firm Recalls Cooked Beef Products Because Of Improper Processing

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2002 – City Foods Inc., a Chicago, Ill., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 72,000 pounds of cooked beef products because of improper processing (improper cooling), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products were produced between May 17, 2001 and Feb. 14, 2002, and were distributed to retail and wholesale establishments in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The following products subject to recall were distributed to retail establishments:

• "BEA’S BEST Chef’s Pride COOKED CORNED BEEF ROUND" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "01345 C239K," "01207 133E," "01183 118A," "01165 107C," or "01156 100B."

• "BEA’S BEST Chef’s Pride COOKED ITALIAN STYLE ROAST BEEF ROUND" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "01345 C239I," "01297 194B," "01297 194A," "01270 176B," "01249 162H," "01240 C165D," or "01144 C102A."

• "BEA’S BEST Chef’s Pride COOKED SEASONED ROAST BEEF ROUND" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "0244 27A," "0235 21F," "0215 6B," "01345 C239H," "01324 213B," "01240 C165C," "01240 C165B," "01222 C151D," "01211 C144C," 01207 133F," "01180 117A," "01172 111A," or "01142 C102C."

The following products subject to recall were distributed to wholesale establishments:

• "A.L.P.S. CATERED GOURMET COOKED CORNED BEEF BRISKET" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "01340 C236G," "01340 C237B," "01340 C237A," "01222 C154D," "01163 C113D," or "01163 C112D."

• "A.L.P.S. CATERED GOURMET ROAST BEEF TOP ROUND CAP OFF" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "0244 27A," "0235 21F," "0215 6B," "01345 C239H," "01324 213B," or "01240 C165B."

• "BEA’S BEST Chef’s Pride HICKORY SMOKED BEEF BACON" in 12-ounce packages marked with a code of "0228 16A," "0224 13C," "01191 122H," "01191 122G," or "01144 95A."

• "BEA’S BEST COOKED CORNED BEEF BRISKET" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "01340 C236G," "01340 C237B," "01340 C237A," "01222 C154D," "01163 C113D," or "01163 C112D."

• "CITY FOODS SILVER LABEL COOKED SEASONED ROAST BEEF ROUND" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "0245 29D," "01346 227A," "01339 223A," "01339 223B," "01330 214D," "01330 215A," "01297 196B," "01256 167B," "01256 167C," "01229 150C," "01229 150B," "01205 132D," "01178 113F," 01165 107D," "01163 104D," "01156 99D," "01142 94B," or "01142 94A."

• "CITY FOODS SILVER LABEL COOKED CORNED BEEF ROUND" in packages of various sizes marked with a code of "0245 29C," "0224 13D," "01346 227C," "01297 196C," "01275 181B," "01275 181A," "01228 148B," "01205 132E," "01156 100C," "01136 91B," or "01136 91A."

In addition, each product bears "EST. 1896" on the label inside the USDA seal of inspection.

"We urge consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers," said Ronald Hicks, acting FSIS administrator. "If they find any of the products listed above, consumers should not eat them, but return them to the point of purchase."

The problem was discovered by a FSIS inspector during a routine records check.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Kenith Kohn, company vice president, at (773) 523-1566.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday, and recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

For Further Information, Contact:

• Consumers: Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-800-535-4555 (voice); 1-800-256-7072 (TTY)

• Media: (202) 720-9113

Recalls Menu | News and Information Page | FSIS Home Page | USDA Home Page