Wisconsin Company Recalls E. coli contaminated Beef Products*

Sunday November 25, 2007 5:16 AM

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - A company voluntarily recalled nearly 96,000
pounds of ground beef products after two people were sickened, possibly
by the E. coli bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food
Safety and Inspection Service said Saturday.

The beef products by American Foods Group include coarse and fine ground
beef chuck, sirloin and chop beef. They were distributed to retailers
and distributors in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee,
Wisconsin and Virginia.

The problem surfaced after an investigation by the Illinois Department
of Health, which was looking into two reports of illnesses.

The bacteria is E. coli O157:H7. E. coli is harbored in the intestines
of cattle. Improper butchering and processing can cause the E. coli to
get onto meat. Thorough cooking, to at least 160 degrees internal
temperature, can destroy the bacteria.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody
diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and people with
compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to E. coli.

The products subject to recall were produced on Oct. 10. They were
distributed for further processing and repackaging and will not have the
company's establishment number on the package.

Some of the recommended use-by dates have already expired. In that case,
consumers can contact their retailers to see if the products in question
were at stores. Consumers are also urged to look in their freezers and
return or throw out the products if they find them.

The products include:

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 73/27.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``65000.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 75/25.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``65800.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF SIRLOIN, FINE GROUND 90/10.'' Each
shipping label bears a product code of ``66000.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 80/20.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``66400.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 75/25.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``19900.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 73/27.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``20100.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF CHUCK, FINE GROUND 82/18.'' Each
shipping label bears a product code of ``20600.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``CHOP BEEF STEAK, FINE GRIND ``86/14.'' Each
shipping label bears a product code of ``30000.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF SIRLOIN, FINE GROUND 92/08.'' Each
shipping label bears a product code of ``30400.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF ROUND, FINE GROUND 87/13.'' Each
shipping label bears a product code of ``30200.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 80/20.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``30700.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF CHUCK, FINE GROUND 82/18.'' Each
shipping label bears a product code of ``31400.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 93/07.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``31600.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF, FINE GROUND 73/27.'' Each shipping
label bears a product code of ``31700.''

-Bulk weight packages of ``BEEF MODIFIED, FINE GROUND 93/07.'' Each
shipping label bears a product code of ``31900.''

Each shipping label bears the establishment number ``Est. 18076'' inside
the USDA mark of inspection.

^---

On the Net:

Agriculture Department's Food and Safety Inspection Service:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/