Source | Cargill Meat Solutions 

Action due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination

November 3, 2007 –Cargill Meat Solutions said it is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,084,384 pounds of ground beef produced at its Wyalusing, Pa., Cargill Regional Beef facility because of the possible presence of E. coli O157:H7. The ground beef products subject to recall were produced at the Wyalusing plant between Oct. 8 and 11, 2007, and were distributed to retailers nationwide.

Cargill learned of the possibility of contamination after the U.S. Department of Agriculture returned a confirmed positive on a sample of product produced Oct. 8, 2007.

“No illnesses have been associated with this product,” said John Keating, president, Cargill Regional Beef. “We are working closely with the USDA to remove the product from the marketplace.”

Products subject to recall are:

Each package or label bears the establishment number “Est. 9400” inside the USDA mark of inspection. As the use/freeze-by dates for products subject to this recall have expired, consumers are urged to look in their freezers for these products and return or discard them if found.

States impacted by the recall are: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

In addition to the above listed products, there are various weights and varieties of ground beef, ground chuck, and ground sirloin product that were distributed for further processing and repackaging and will not bear the same establishment number on the package.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company’s food safety line at 1-877-455-1034. Media with questions should contact the company’s media representative, Lori Fligge, at 952-742-2275.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Food safety experts recommend cooking any ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F., or until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Also, avoid contaminating other foods with any E. coli bacteria that may be present in meat by:

Consumers with food safety questions also 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 10 a.m to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Consumers with food safety questions also 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 10 a.m to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Note from Attorneys

If you feel that you, your child or someone you know has been sickened by one of the frozen hamburger patties included within this recall, you should seek professional medical attention immediately by visiting your doctor of by dialing 911.

FREE Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one have been the victim of food poisoning, you should also contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for your food poisoning related injuries.

The recall list below includes ONLY products included in the November 3, 2007 meat recall. The Cargill Meat Solutions ground beef products subject to the most recent recall are as follows:

Each package or label bears the establishment number “Est. 9400” inside the USDA mark of inspection. As the use/freeze-by dates for products subject to this recall have expired, consumers are urged to look in their freezers for these products and return or discard them if found.

Learn More: Cargill Meat Solutions Recall

Source | Cargill Meat Solutions

Action due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination

October 6, 2007 –Cargill Meat Solutions said it is voluntarily recalling approximately 844,812 pounds of frozen ground beef patties because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The recall is based on an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as well as Cargill’s investigation and findings from a food safety assessment conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Cargill Meat Solutions ground beef plant in Butler, Wis. Minnesota officials had investigated four cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection involving individuals who had consumed American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties purchased at Sam’s Club stores in the state. While the investigation is ongoing, Cargill is voluntarily recalling the products based on a preliminary analysis of epidemiological data.

The products subject to the recall were produced on Aug. 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, 2007, and were distributed nationwide. Each package bears the establishment number “Est. 924A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products include:

Products distributed at the retail and subject to recall are:

Products distributed to restaurants and institutions and subject to recall include:

“We are concerned that some consumers may still have the product sold at retail in their freezers,” said Bill Rupp, president of Cargill Meat Solutions. “We and Sam’s Club are urging customers to return or destroy any American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties purchased in any of their stores since August.”

Rupp said the company learned of the situation shortly before noon on Friday. Based on information from Minnesota and USDA officials, the company investigated further and expanded the scope beyond Minnesota. Although the extent of any contamination is unknown, Cargill Meat Solutions has undertaken the voluntary recall as a proactive and cautionary step.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company’s food safety line at 866-567-7899. Media with questions should contact the company’s media representative, Mark Klein, at 952-742-6211.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Food safety experts recommend cooking any ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F., or until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Also, avoid contaminating other foods with any E. coli bacteria that may be present in meat by:

Consumers with food safety questions also 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 10 a.m to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Note from Attorneys

If you feel that you, your child or someone you know has been sickened by one of the frozen hamburger patties included within this recall, you should seek professional medical attention immediately by visiting your doctor of by dialing 911.

FREE Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one have been the victim of food poisoning, you should also contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for your food poisoning related injuries.

The following products are subject to the October 6, 2007 recall and were produced on Aug. 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, 2007, and were distributed nationwide. Each package bears the establishment number “Est. 924A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products include:

Products distributed at the retail and subject to recall are:

Products distributed to restaurants and institutions and subject to recall include:

Learn More: Cargil Meat Solutions Recall