Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
 Matt Baun

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2002—Safeway Incorporated, operating as Safeway Store # 976, a retail store at 605 Parker, Building A, Rodeo Calif., is voluntarily recalling approximately 180 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 following ground beef products were sold in white foam trays of varying weights ranging from 1 to 5 pounds:

• "REGULAR GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN;"
• "LEANEST GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN;"
• "SUPER LEAN GROUND BEEF 90% LEAN;"
• "80% LN GR BF MKT 20% FAT VPC;"
• "LEAN GROUND BEEF 80% LEAN;" and
• "LEAN GROUND BEEF 80% LEAN VALUE PACK."

Each package bears the sell by date code, "03/21/02" and the store number, "976."

The ground beef was produced on March 20.

"Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled product," said Margaret O’K. Glavin, acting FSIS administrator. "Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157: H7, consumers who purchased this product should not to eat it and return it to the store where it was purchased."

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.

Media with questions about the recall may contact David Bowlby, Safeway public affairs director, at (925) 467-2057. Consumers with questions about the recall my call the toll-free Safeway customer service line at (877) 723-3929.

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.

#

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.