FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2001
MEDIA ADVISORY
The following is a Recall Notification Report from the USDA Food Safety
and Inspection Service. Certain brands of fresh ground beef and pork products
have been recalled for potential contamination. The distribution area includes
South Carolina. For more information, call Mark Klein, Director of Communication,
770-252-5199.
*RECALL NOTIFICATION REPORT*
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
PRODUCTS RECALLED: Various ground beef and ground pork products.
PRODUCTION DATES/IDENTIFYING CODES: Produced on May 23, 2001 and May 24, 2001. The labels bear the establishment number "EST. 86G" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Each package has a production date code of "01.05.23" or "01.05.24," corresponding to a sell by date of "01.06.01" or "01.06.02," and packaged in various sizes.
The products being recalled are as follows:
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF CHUCK,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF CHUCK FAMILY PACK,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES FAMILY
PACK,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF FAMILY PACK,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF PATTIES FAMILY PACK,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF ROUND,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF ROUND FAMILY PACK,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF ROUND PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF ROUND PATTIES FAMILY
PACK,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF ROUND THICK PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF THICK PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF THICK-CHUCK PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND BEEF THICK-SIRLOIN PATTIES,"
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND CHUCK PATTIES THICK," and
* "Kroger" brand labeled as "FRESH GROUND PORK."
PROBLEM/REASON FOR RECALL: The product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
HOW/WHEN DISCOVERED: In response to an outbreak investigation, FSIS collected a microbiological investigative sample on June 20, 2001, that returned positive results for E. coli O157:H7 on June 24, 2001. At the present time there are no direct links between the recalled products and the illnesses, however, FSIS is continuing its investigation.
FEDERAL ESTABLISHMENT: 00086G M
Excel Corporation
33 Dart Road
Newnan, GA 30271
CONSUMER CONTACT: Kroger Consumer/Customer Service, 800-632-6900
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Klein, Director of Communication, 770-252-5199
QUANTITY RECALLED: Approximately 190,000 pounds
DISTRIBUTION: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky (Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Powderly), South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee (Knoxville and Nashville)
RECALL CLASSIFICATION: Class I
RECALL NOTIFICATION LEVEL: Retail
PRESS RELEASE: Yes
DIRECT NOTIFICATION MEANS: The firm has notified its customers orally and will follow up in writing.
FSIS FOLLOWUP ACTIVITIES: Effectiveness checks by the FSIS, District Enforcement Operations
OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED: None
FSIS CONTACTS:
Compliance/Recall Coordinator: 202-418-8874
Recall Management: 202-690-6389
Media Inquiries: 202-720-9113
Congressional Inquiries: 202-720-3897
Consumer Inquiries: 1-800-535-4555
Web site
DATE OF RECALL MEETING: June 24, 2001
RECALL CASE NUMBER: 031-2001