On May 8, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a Class I recall of nearly 70,000 pounds of Palama Holdings ground beef because it could be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Class I recalls are the highest recalls that USDA issues.

The following products are involved in the Palama ground beef recall:

• 6- and 10-pound boxes containing 1/4-pound and 1/3-pound “May’s Teriyaki Beef Patties.” The boxes include a product code of “157400,” “157600,” or “157700,” as well as a production date of “4/9/2008,” “4/10/2008,” “4/11/2008,” “4/15/2008,” “4/16/2008,” “4/17/2008,” “4/18/2008,” or “4/21/2008.” Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 11077” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 24-pound bulk boxes of “May’s Beef Picnic Patties.” The boxes will include product code “158700” as well as a production date of “4/11/2008” or “4/18/2008.” Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 11077” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 10-pound boxes of “May’s Beef Pattie, 3:1 Layer Pack.” These boxes include the product code “158325” as well as a production date of “4/10/2008,” or “4/17/2008.” Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 11077” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 3-pound trays of “May’s GROUND BEEF Family Pack.” The packages include the product code “410751,” as well as the production date “4/16/2008.” The packages also bear the establishment number “EST. 11077” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 5- and 10-pound chubs of May’s brand coarse ground and fine ground beef products. These products bear a product code of “141115,” “141120,” “143915”, “141420,” “144150,” “144155,” “144200,” “144205,” “144209,” “145410,” “145420,” “151115,” “151415,” “151430”, or “153220.” The products will also bear a production date of “4/9/2008,” “4/15/2008,” “4/16/2008,” “4/17/2008,” “4/18/2008,” or “4/21/2008.”

According the USDA, 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 from E. coli.

The recalled Palama ground beef products subject to recall were produced from April 9, 2008, through April 21, 2008. The products included in the Palama beef recall were distributed to retail, food service establishments, and commissaries in Hawaii.

The bulk pack chubs of ground beef products may not bear the recalling firm’s establishment number “EST. 11077” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company at (808) 682-8368.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, ?Hawaii Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination,? May 8, 2008.