December 12 — WASHINGTON — Jewel-Osco, operating as Jewel Store #333, a retail store at 333 E. Euclid, Mount Prospect, Ill., is voluntarily recalling approximately 280 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.

The ground beef was produced on Dec. 5.

The following ground beef products were sold as prepackaged units of various weights at the self-service meat section of the store and indicate “Sell By 12/06/01”:

“GROUND BEEF NOT LESS THAN 75% LN” “GRND CHUCK NOT LESS THAN 80% LN”

“GROUND ROUND NOT LESS THN 85% LN” and “GROUND SIRLOIN NOT LS THN 95% LN.”

In addition, the following product was sold in bulk out of the display case, wrapped by a butcher for individual customers when purchased, and indicates “Sell By Dec 05, 01”:

“SRLN GRND BEEF NT LS THN 95% LN.”

“Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and return it to the place of purchase,” said Margaret O?K. Glavin, acting FSIS administrator. “USDA is informing the public so consumers who may have purchased and stored the product in their refrigerators or freezers can know to check.”

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 with questions about the recall may contact Jewel-Osco?s Customer Service Line at (800) 539-3561. Media with questions may contact Karen Ramos, pubic affairs director at Jewel-Osco, at (847) 916-4394.

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.