Iowa Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products for
Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
Recall Release
CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-029-2006
HEALTH RISK: HIGH
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Tara Balsley
WASHINGTON, October 6, 2006 - Jim’s Market and
Locker, Inc. a Harlan, Iowa, firm, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 5,226 pounds of 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.
Preparing Ground Beef For Safe Consumption
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit
www.fsis.usda.gov
Although the product(s) being recalled should be returned to the point 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 °F. When a ground beef patty is cooked to
160 °F 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 food 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 °F 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, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.
The products subject to recall include:
10-pound boxes of "PACKED FOR: DAVIS MOUNTAIN ORGANIC BEEF, 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC 3-1 BEEF PATTIES." Each box bears the lot code "G6-540" or "G6-544."
Five-pound packages of "DAVIS MOUNTAINS 100% ORGANIC BEEF, LEEAN GROUND BEEF 90/10." Each package bears the lot code "G6-544."
One-pound packages of "MASTER CHOICE 100% ORGANIC ANGUS BEEF, 90/10 GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the lot code "G6-544."
One-pound packages of "DAVIS MOUNTAINS 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the lot code "G6-544."
10.5-pound boxes of "NEBRASKA, BEEF GROUND BEEF PATTY 6 OZ." Each box bears the lot code "G6-541."
60-pound boxes of "SPECIALLY SELECTED FOR: FARNER-BOCKEN FOOD SERVICE BEEF PATTIE MIX 6/10#." Each box bears the lot code "G6-542."
One-pound packages of "PACKED FOR: IRWIN COUNTRY STORE, BEEF GROUND BEEF 16 OZ." The package bears the lot code "G6-541."
One-pound blocks of "PACKED FOR: IRWIN COUNTRY STORE, BEEF GROUND BEEF PATTIES 4-1." The product bears the code "G6-541."
10-pound boxes of "DISTRIBUTED BY: STUBE RANCH, WAGYU BEEF, BEEF GROUND BEEF PATTIES, 8 OZ. PATTIES." The product bears the lot code "G6-546."
Each package bears the establishment number "Est. 2424" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The problem was discovered through microbiological testing. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
The ground beef products were produced on August 31 and September 1 and distributed to one retail establishment in Iowa and distributors in Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Texas and Wisconsin.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company President Jim Goeser at (712) 755-5158.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ Food_Safety_Education/ Ask_Karen/.
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.
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.
