Health Law

Nearly 100,000 pounds of ground beef recalled for E. coli O157:H7 contamination

By Marler Clark

Approximately 96,000 pounds of ground beef products are being recalled by Valley Meats, a company operating out of Coal Valley, Ill., for E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

It appears this recall did not come soon enough for one unfortunate person.  The Department of Health in Cleveland, Ohio has announced that a 6 or 7 year old girl has died, apparently from consuming some of the recalled ground beef.

For a complete list of the products currently being recalled, see below:

3S Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95554."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95556."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95573."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95574."

Grillmaster Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 100 (10-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95588."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95500."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95502."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." The cases can be identified by the case codes "95504" and "95505."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95508."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95509."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER BEEF PATTIE." Each case can be identified by the case code "95512."

J & B Brand Products:

• 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 28, 6-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF HOAGIE PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51706."
• 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 14, 12-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF DINNER PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51312."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11028."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11024."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 10 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT VEAL LUNCHEON CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "13014."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN SEASONED GROUND BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "11384BR."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 packages (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "J1004."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51803."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51804."

Klub Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95565."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95567."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95568."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95583."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95584."

Thick 'N Savory Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95579."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95580."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95581."

Ultimate Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1012CL."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1013CL."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1014CL."

Products with No Specified Name Brand:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50123."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50125."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50127."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3253."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3254."
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3255."
• 24.75-pound cases containing a total of 144 "KEEP RERIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "8218."
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020EC."
• 40-pound cases containing a total of 8 (8 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020VP."
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8515."
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020ECF."
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "10201."
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND MEAT." Each package bears the identifying case code "10301."

Additionally, each product bears the establishment number "EST. 5712" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The (2-1), (3-1), (4-1), (5-1) and (6-1) markings refer to the number of portions per one-pound.

These ground beef products were produced on March 10, 2009, and were distributed to various consignees nationwide.

The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. 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 foodborne illness.

Media and consumers questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company spokesperson at (309) 799-7341.

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

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on May 22, 2009 (boomark / email).