Congressional and Public Affairs
Donna Sellers (202) 720-9113

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2001— Niman Ranch, Inc., an Oakland, Calif. firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,900 pounds of fresh ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products being recalled are:

"NIMAN RANCH GROUND BEEF" packaged in five pound bags bearing packaging code "DEC040530A or DEC041000A" and "EST. 2845" inside the USDA seal of inspection,

"NIMAN RANCH GROUND BEEF" packaged in 10 pound bags bearing packaging code "DEC040530A or DEC041000A" and "EST. 2845" inside the USDA seal of inspection, and

"NIMAN RANCH GROUND BEEF" packaged in 15 pound boxes, each containing 60 ground beef patties, with "EST. 2845" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The boxes are packaged in cases bearing a hand-written packaging date 12-04-01.

The products were produced on Dec. 4 and distributed to restaurants in California, Florida, Missouri, New York and Washington.

"Consumers may wish to ask at restaurants where they consume ground beef if the product or meal contains the recalled product," said Margaret O’K. Glavin, FSIS acting administrator.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.

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

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with

consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Rob Hurlbut, chief operating officer, Niman Ranch, Inc., at (510) 808-0330.

Consumers with 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.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov

Although the product being recalled should be returned to the place 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 ºF. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 ºF 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 digital instant-read 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 ºF 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, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

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.