California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-042-2009	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bryn Burkard

Note: This release was updated Aug 15, 2009 to correct the product description. One of the recalled brands is "Cattleman's Choice," not "Stock Yards Brand." "Stock Yards Brand" products are not subject to this recall. Please note that product labels subject to recall are similar, but recalled products would read "Cattleman's Choice" instead of "Stock Yards Brand."

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2009 - Sterling Pacific Meat Co., a City of Commerce, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,516 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The products subject to recall include: [View Labels, PDF Only]

Fatburger Brand:

20-pound packages of "8 oz. PUCK (80/20) GROUND BEEF PATTIES."
10-pound "2.5 oz. BABY GROUND BEEF PATTIES."

Cattleman's Choice Brand:

12-pound packages of "6 oz ROUND 80 % LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES." Each package bears the identifying case code "13627."
12-pound packages of "(3/1) ROUND 80% LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "13582."
12-pound packages of "(3/1) ROUND 80% LEAN GROUND BEEF PATTIES." Each package bears the identifying case code "10457" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
12-pound packages of "GROUND BEEF PATTY (8/1) SLIDER 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13657" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
12-pound packages of "(4/1) ROUND 85% LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "13575" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
12-pound packages of "PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY 7oz WIDE PATTY 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13520" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
12-pound packages of "PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY (7/1) ROUND PATTY 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13577" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
11.80-pound packages of "PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES 7 oz ROUND 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13520" or "13561" and the pack date "05/18/2009."

PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit
www.fsis.usda.gov

Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F.

Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

The packages also bear the establishment number "EST. 550" within the USDA Mark of Inspection and advise "KEEP REFRIGERATED" and/or "KEEP FROZEN." The ground beef products were produced on May 18, 2009, and were distributed at the wholesale level to food service companies, who further distributed the product to restaurants in Calif. and Ariz. FSIS has no reason to believe that these products are available for sale in commerce.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a review of the establishment's records. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company Vice-President, Luis Munoz, at (323) 838-9400.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. 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.

www.fsis.usda.gov

Food Safety Questions? Ask Karen!
FSIS' automated response system can provide food safety information 24/7

Last Modified: August 15, 2009

USDA Recall Classifications
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.


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