Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Andrea McNally

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2002—GFI American Inc., a Minneapolis, Minn., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 717,000 pounds of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The ground beef products being recalled include:

• 10 lb. boxes of "BEEF FRITTERS FOR CHICKEN FRIED FRITTERS" bearing the product code "5203" and the lot number "L33011;"
• 10 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES FOR SALISBURY STEAKS, CHOPPED AND FORMED" bearing the product code "5504" and the lot number "L32914;"
• 10 lb. boxes of "BREADED VEAL STEAKS, BEEF ADDED - CHOPPED & FORMED" bearing the product code "6049" and the lot number "L32943;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES, ONE POUND PORTIONS" bearing the product code "2202" and the lot number "L33019;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2740" and the lot number "L32967;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2742" and the lot number "L32966;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2220" and the lot number "L32953;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2729" and the lot number "LOT#32963;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2732" and the lot number "L33039;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES, ONE POUND PORTIONS" bearing the product code "2002" and the lot number "L33072;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2029" and the lot number "L33075;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES WITH SEASONING" bearing the product code "38307" and the lot number "L33099;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIE" bearing the product code "2036" and the lot number "L32925;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES WITH SEASONING" bearing the product code "38253" and the lot number "L33382;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2038" and the lot number "LOT# 33369;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES WITH SEASONING" bearing the product code "38244" and the lot number "L32919;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2238" and the lot number "L33021;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF SIRLOIN STEAKS, CHOPPED AND FORMED" bearing the product code "2539" and the lot number "L32891;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES WITH BEEF" bearing the product code "2541" and the lot number "L32946;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES WITH BEEF" bearing the product code "2531" and the lot number "L32969;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES WITH BEEF ADDED" bearing the product code "2538" and the lot number "L32892;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES WITH BEEF" bearing the product code "2530" and the lot number "L32949;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2229" and the lot number "LOT # 33018;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2042" and the lot number "LOT #32974;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "8049" and the lot number "L33101;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIE BLOCKS" bearing the product code "8422" and the lot number "L33103;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2044" and the lot number "L32951;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIE" bearing the product code "2049" and the lot number "LOT. # 3292;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "BEEF FRITTERS FOR CHICKEN FRIED FRITTERS" bearing the product code "5808" and the lot number "L33001;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "CRACKER BARREL'S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2629" and the lot number "L32921;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "CRACKER BARREL'S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2658" and the lot number "L32934;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2066" and the lot number "LOT #33379;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2069 and the lot number "LOT 32905;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2752" and the lot number "L32965;"
• 20 lb. boxes of "Famous Dave's 100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2829" and the lot number "L33015" or "L32895;"
• 25 lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES WITH BEEF" bearing the production code "2521" and the lot number "L32945;"
• 30 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES WITH SEASONING" bearing the product code "38265" and the lot number "L33100;"
• 30 lb. boxes of "100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2283" and the lot number "L32950;"
• 36 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "8446" and the lot number "L33384;"
• 36 lb. boxes of "100% GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "2246" and the lot number "L32954;"
• 36 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES FOR SALISBURY STEAKS, CHOPPED AND FORMED" bearing the product code "6994" and the lot number "L32918;" and,
• 36 lb. boxes of "BEEF PATTIES" bearing the product code "8046" and the lot number "L33385."

Each package also bears the establishment code "EST. 2368" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The ground beef was produced on June 25-29, July 1-3, and July 16 and distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions nationwide.

"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, diners may want to ask if their meals contain the recalled product," said William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator.

GFI American Inc., notified FSIS that the contaminated products had been distributed into commerce.

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.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Stephanie Golden, customer service manager, at (612) 872-6262. Media with questions may contact Joe Goldeberger, vice president of sales and marketing, at (612) 872-6262.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 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 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.