November 3, 2007 — /USDA News/ — WASHINGTON, DC — Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., a Wyalusing, PA, firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,084,384 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 1.3-pound packages of “Century Farm 80/20 Ground Beef.” Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 3-pound packages of “Century Farm 80/20 Ground Beef.” Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1-pound packages of “Century Farm 80/20 Ground Beef.” Each
  package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of “Century Farm 85/15 Ground Beef.” Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 3-pound packages of “Century Farm 90/10 Ground Beef.” Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of “Century Farm 90/10 Ground Beef Patties.” Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of “Century Farm 90/10 Ground Beef.” Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of “Century Farm 93/7 Ground Beef.” Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.

[Editor’s note: For a complete list of products included in the recall, please visit www.usda.gov or www.cargill.com.]

Each package or label bears the establishment number “Est. 9400” inside the USDA mark of inspection. As the use/freeze-by dates for products subject to this recall have expired, consumers are urged to look in their freezers for these products and return or discard them if found.

In addition to the above listed products, there are various weights and varieties of ground beef, ground chuck, and ground sirloin product that are distributed for further processing and repackaging and will not bear the recalling firm’s establishment number on the package.

The ground beef products subject to recall were produced between Oct. 8 and 11, 2007, and were distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

The problem was discovered by FSIS through follow-up investigation and sampling after a positive E. coli O157:H7 at another federal establishment. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company toll-free hotline at (877) 455-1034. Media with questions about the recall should call company Director of Media Relations for Cargill Lori Fligge at (952) 742-2275.

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.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.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.

Note:
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.

——-
Preparing ground beef for safe consumption

Wash hands with warm, soapy 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