CALIFORNIA FIRM RECALLS GROUND BEEF PRODUCTS DUE TO POSSIBLE E-COLI CONTAMINATION

Avoid under-cooked ground beef, USDA advises

February 6, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Ground beef products sold in restaurants throughout Southern California have been recalled due to possible e-coli contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yesterday. Products were manufactured by American Food Services in Pico Rivera, California. The health risk is classified as high by the USDA.  The Food Safety Inspection Service and the establishment are concerned that some product may be frozen and in restaurant freezers.

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. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact the company's Customer Service Supervisor, Mario Hernandez, at (562) 801-4100 ext. 238.

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.

The department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it became aware of the problem "when contacted by another federal regulated establishment who believed they had received suspect product."
 

Recalled products include pure ground beef, patties, taco grind, and coarse grind for chili.
 

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number "EST. 1913" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The following products, produced on Jan. 31, 2011, (with the corresponding case codes) are subject to recall:
• (559002) American Companies 100% Pure Ground Beef 30-lb. case
• (552102) American Companies 2/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (553102) American Companies 3/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (554102) American Companies 4/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (554106) American Companies 4/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (554302) American Companies 4/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (555302) American Companies 5/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (556102) American Companies 6/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (553302) American Companies 3/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (554402) American Companies 4/1 J Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (557102) American Companies 7/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (556106) American Companies 6/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (552106) American Companies 2/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (559004) American Companies Ground Beef Bulk 80% Lean Taco Grind 60-lb. case
• (559202) American Companies 100% Pure Ground Beef For Chili (Coarse Grind) 30-lb. case.