Tennessee Firm Recalls Ground Beef for Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released the following information:

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-026-2006 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich

WASHINGTON, August 5, 2006 - Southeastern Meats, a Chattanooga, Tenn., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 4,337 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
 
 
The products subject to recall are:

10- pound boxes of "GROUND BEEF PATTIES, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC."
5- and 10- pound bags of "GROUND BEEF, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC."
10- pound bags of "TACO BEEF MIX, INGREDIENTS BEEF AND BEEF PARTS, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC."

Each package bears the establishment number "Est. 7953" inside the USDA mark of inspection and the case code, "07 31 06" or "08 01 06."

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

The ground beef was produced on July 31 and August 1, and was distributed to retail establishments and institutions in Georgia and Tennessee.

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.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact company Vice President John Shoocraft at (423) 892-6024.

Type of Recall:
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.