E. coli Worries Prompt Another Ground Beef Recall

Fairbury Steaks, Inc. a Fairbury, Nebraska, establishment, is recalling approximately 90 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/e_coli_escherichia_coli">E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced. The products subject to recall include 10-pound packages of “BULK FRESH GROUND BEEF.”

This recall has been classified as a Class I Recall, which means this is a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The packages were placed in boxes and bear the establishment number “EST. 5726” inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced on November 16, 2009, and were distributed to a restaurant in Ruskin, Nebraska.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify its customers, including restaurants, of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. In this case, the problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. To date, the 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 food borne illness.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a sufficiently high temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall should contact Fairbury Steaks’ Media Representative, Nicole Brown at 1-402-729-3364.

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 l0:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.