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| Illinois Firm
Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible
E. coli O157:H7
Contamination | |
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| Recall
Release |
CLASS
I RECALL |
| FSIS-RC-033-2009 |
HEALTH
RISK:
HIGH |
Congressional
and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Peggy
Riek
WASHINGTON, June 22,
2009 - International Meat Co., Inc., a
Chicago, Ill., establishment is recalling
approximately 6,152 pounds of ground beef products
that may be contaminated with E. coli
O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
announced today.
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Wash
hands with soap and warm 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° F.
Color is NOT a reliable indicator that
ground beef or ground beef patties have been
cooked to a temperature high enough to kill
harmful bacteria such as E. coli
O157:H7.
The only way to be sure ground
beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to
kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to
measure the internal temperature.
Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within
two hours after purchase or one hour if
temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked
meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.
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 | The
products subject to recall include: [View
Labels, PDF Only]
- "5-pound, plastic lined boxes of
"International Meat Co., PURVEYOR OF FINE MEATS
TO HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, BEEF PATTIES." Each
box bears the establishment number "EST. 22080"
inside the USDA mark of inspection and
identifying package codes of "061709," "061809"
or "061909."
- "5- and 10-pound bags of bulk "International
Meat Co., BEEF PATTIE MIX." Each bag bears the
establishment number "EST. 22080" inside the
USDA mark of inspection and identifying package
codes of "061709," "061809" or "061909."
- "10-pound bags of "International Meat Co.,
GROUND BEEF." Each box bears the establishment
number "EST. 22080" inside the USDA mark of
inspection and identifying package codes of
"061709," "061809" or "061909."
- "10-pound bags of "Packed For, Purely
Gourmet & Organic, Ground Beef." Each box
bears the establishment number "EST. 22080"
inside the USDA mark of inspection and
identifying package codes of "061709," "061809"
or "061909."
These ground beef
products were produced on June 17, 2009, through
June 19, 2009, and were shipped to distributors
and restaurants in the Chicago, Ill., metropolitan
area.
The problem was discovered through
FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received
no reports of illnesses associated with
consumption of these products. Individuals
concerned about an illness should contact a
physician.
E. coli O157:H7 is a
potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody
diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe
cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and
persons with weak immune systems are the most
susceptible to foodborne illness.
Media
and consumer questions regarding the recall should
be directed to company Controller John Scorza at
(773) 622-1400.
Consumers with food safety
questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual
representative available 24 hours a day at 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.
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Last
Modified: June 22,
2009 |
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| 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.
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| Class III |
This is a situation where the use of
the product will not cause adverse health
consequences.
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