ag-formation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2002

Ground Beef Products Recall Notification---USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)

COLUMBIA---In cooperation with the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), the South Carolina Department of Agriculture issues the following nationwide recall. The products may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7.

All nationwide or statewide recalls issued by the USDA FSIS that could affect South Carolina consumers are forwarded to the media for distribution to the public. For more information, see the contacts listed below.

PRODUCTS RECALLED: Ground Beef Products

PRODUCTION DATES/IDENTIFYING CODES: Produced on May 31, 2002. The following cases of ground beef products being recalled are marked with the package code "Freeze or sell by 06 18 02," and each case contains six ten-pound chubs.

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 75/25 Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42122";

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Sirloin 90/10 Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42132";

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 81/19 Coarse Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42141";

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42162";

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Chuck Coarse Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42169";

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Round Coarse Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42171";

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Round Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42172"; and

* "CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF," "Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 6-10# Chubs" with the case code "42262."

The following cases of ground beef products being recalled are marked with a package code "Freeze or sell by 06 18 02," and each case contains eight ten-pound chubs.

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 81/19 Coarse Grind, 8-10# Chubs" with the case code "42410";

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 81/19 Fine Grind, 8-10# Chubs" with the case code "42499"; and

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 73/27 Coarse Grind, 8-10# Chubs" with the case code "42510."

The following ground beef product being recalled is marked with a package code "Freeze or Sell by 06 18 02" and is packaged in cases, with each one containing 12 five-pound chubs.

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef 73/27 Fine Grind, 12-5# Chubs" with the case code "42816." Each retail chub contains the label "GROUND BEEF."

The following ground beef product being recalled is marked with a Julian date code of "151 02" on each case, and each case contains 36 one-pound chubs.

* "ConAgra Beef," "Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 36-1# Chubs" with the case code "42862." Each frozen retail chub contains the label "GROUND BEEF CHUCK."

The labels on all products being recalled bear the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

PROBLEM/REASON FOR RECALL:

The products may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7.

HOW/WHEN DISCOVERED:

Traceback microbiological samples were collected by FSIS on June 24, 2002. They were reported positive for E. coli O157:H7 on June 29, 2002.

FEDERAL ESTABLISHMENT:

00969 M

ConAgra Beef Company

800 N. 8TH Avenue

Greeley, CO 80631

CONSUMER CONTACT:

Jim Herlihy, VP of Communication and Consumer Affairs, 970-506-8052

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Herlihy, VP of Communication and Consumer Affairs, 970-506-8052

QUANTITY RECALLED:

Approximately 354,200 pounds

DISTRIBUTION:

Nationwide

RECALL CLASSIFICATION:

Class I

RECALL NOTIFICATION LEVEL:

Consumer, Retail, and User

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: Media Inquiries: 202-720-9113

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