ag-formation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2002

*RECALL NOTIFICATION REPORT* USDA FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE

COLUMBIA---The following nationwide recall notice is provided by the SC Department of Agriculture on behalf of the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service.

*RECALL NOTIFICATION REPORT*

USDA FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE

PRODUCTS RECALLED: Ground Beef Patties

PRODUCTION DATES/IDENTIFYING CODES: Produced February 22, 2002.

The ground beef products being recalled are:

* 6-lb. bags of "NORTHERN PLAINS Beef Sirloin AND BEEF PATTIES 85/15." Each bag bears a code of " 0205321P."

* 6-lb. bags of "NORTHERN PLAINS Ground Beef PATTIES 80/20." Each bag bears a code of "02053A1P" or "0205321P."

* 10-lb. boxes of "NORTHERN PLAINS Gourmet Beef PATTIES." Each box bears a production code between "20020531317" and "20020530500."

* 7-lb. boxes of "SEASONED BEEF PATTIES (MISFORMED)." Each box bears a production code between "20020531317" and "20020530500."

Each bag or box also bears "EST. 245P" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

PROBLEM/REASON FOR RECALL: The products may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7.

HOW/WHEN DISCOVERED: On July 12, 2002, Est. 245P, Carneco Foods, LLC, was notified by its supplier that it had shipped Carneco Foods, LLC frozen beef trimmings that had been adulterated with E. coli O157:H7. On July 15, 2002, the firm reported to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) that the frozen beef trimmings were used as an ingredient in the production of the ground beef patties and thus voluntarily initiated the recall of the above-mentioned products. Furthermore, FSIS has initiated an investigation into the shipment of the adulterated product.

FEDERAL ESTABLISHMENT:

00245P M

Carneco Foods, LLC

1529 23RD Street, East

Columbus, NE 68601

CONSUMER CONTACT: Carneco Foods Customer Hotline, 866-824-6243

MEDIA CONTACT: John Schaller, Division of Vice President of Operations, 405-603-7936

QUANTITY RECALLED: Approximately 131,000 pounds

DISTRIBUTION: Nationwide

RECALL CLASSIFICATION: Class I

RECALL NOTIFICATION LEVEL: Consumer

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: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/recalls/rec_intr.htm

DATE OF RECALL MEETING: July 15, 2002

RECALL CASE NUMBER: 059-2002

***30***