December 10, 2001 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — Niman Ranch, Inc., an Oakland, Calif. firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,900 pounds of fresh ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The products being recalled are:

“NIMAN RANCH GROUND BEEF” packaged in five pound bags bearing packaging code “DEC040530A or DEC041000A” and “EST. 2845” inside the USDA seal of inspection,

“NIMAN RANCH GROUND BEEF” packaged in 10 pound bags bearing packaging code “DEC040530A or DEC041000A” and “EST. 2845” inside the USDA seal of inspection, and

“NIMAN RANCH GROUND BEEF” packaged in 15 pound boxes, each containing 60 ground beef patties, with “EST. 2845” inside the USDA seal of inspection. The boxes are packaged in cases bearing a hand-written packaging date 12-04-01.

The products were produced on Dec. 4 and distributed to restaurants in California, Florida, Missouri, New York and Washington.

“Consumers may wish to ask at restaurants where they consume ground beef if the product or meal contains the recalled product,” said Margaret O?K. Glavin, FSIS acting administrator.

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.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Rob Hurlbut, chief operating officer, Niman Ranch, Inc., at (510) 808-0330.

Consumers with 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.