50,000 Pounds of ground beef recalled due to possible E. Coli

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2013 – National Beef Packing Company, a Liberal, Kan., firm, is recalling approximately 50,100 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.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 10 lb. chub of “National Beef” 93/ 7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 0707
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 80/20 Fine Ground Chuck, Product Code 7031
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 85/15 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7054
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 90/10 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7344
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 93/ 7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7004
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureWell 80/20 Fine Ground Chuck, Product Code 7484
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureWell” 85/15 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7454
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureWell” 90/10 Fine Ground Sirloin, Product Code 7577
• 10 lb. chub of “NatureWell” 93/7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7404

All these products bear the establishment number “EST. 208A” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on July 18, 2013 and were shipped in 40 to 60 pound cases to retailers, wholesalers, and food service distributors nationwide.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E.coli O157:H7. An investigation determined National Beef Packing Co. was the sole supplier of the source materials used to produce the positive product. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and to ensure that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

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.

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 with questions regarding the recall should contact National Beef’s spokesperson, Keith Welty, at 816-713-8631. Consumers can call 1-866-761-9472 or go to http://www.nationalbeef.com for the link to details about the recall and the company’s return and reimbursement policy.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. "Ask Karen" live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 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.