WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2001?Super Kmart, a retail store at 6200 E. Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, Ind., is voluntarily recalling approximately 320 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 ground beef products being recalled are:

“Super Kmart GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN,”

“Super Kmart GROUND BEEF CHUCK,”

“Super Kmart GROUND BEEF ROUND VALUE PACK,” and “Super Kmart GROUND HAMBURGER.”

The products being recalled were produced on Oct. 31 and packaged in trays of various sizes. Each tray is labeled with a sell by date of “Nov 01, 01.”

“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 Steve Pagnina, Super Kmart vice-president of corporate affairs, at (248) 463-1021.

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.