Nebraska Beef Recalls 1.2 Millions Pounds of Beef for Possible E. Coli Contamination

August 10, 2008

Nebraska Beef, Ltd., an Omaha, Neb., establishment is recalling approximately 1.2 million pounds of primal cuts, subprimal cuts and boxed beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONSUMERS FOR SAFE FOOD HANDLING

Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Also wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water. Clean up spills right away.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood away from other food that will not be cooked. Use one cutting board for raw meat, poultry, seafood and egg products, and a separate one for fresh produce and cooked food.

Cook raw meat and poultry to safe minimum internal temperatures – as measured with a food thermometer: meat such as beef, veal and lamb, 145 °F ground beef and pork, 160 ºF, and poultry, 165 ºF.

Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase (one hour if temperatures exceed 90º F). Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking (one hour if temperatures exceed 90 °F).

These beef products were produced on June 17, June 24 and July 8, 2008. The shipping containers and product labels bear the establishment number “EST. 19336” inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as the brand “Coleman Natural.” However, these products were sent to establishments and retail stores nationwide for further processing and will likely not bear the establishment number “EST. 19336” on products available for direct consumer purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Vice President of Administration James Timmerman at 402-733-0456. Media with questions about the recall should contact company representative William Lamson at (402) 397-7300.

The problem was discovered through a joint investigation with state departments of health and agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FSIS. To date, 31 cases in 12 states and Canada have been identified in the investigation.

FSIS is continuing its investigation into any products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 or that are associated with illnesses and will take appropriate action when necessary.

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. Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a medical professional.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The tool-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (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.

Editor’s Note: This is the second major beef recall in the last three days. What is going on with America’s food supply? Are we finally beginning to pay the price for large-scale industrial agriculture? What can we do about it other than turn vegetarian? How many people live within driving distance of a farm where grass-fed, organic, free-range cattle are raised? Comments are welcome.

Click Here to speak to an attorney about this recall!

Written by USDA · Filed Under Urgent Recalls 

Comments

One Response to “Nebraska Beef Recalls 1.2 Millions Pounds of Beef for Possible E. Coli Contamination”

  1. Mike Z on August 13th, 2008 12:58 am

    Turning vegetarian is not a bad choice. I’ve been one for 14 years and I love hearing these stories about the tainted meat industry. I hate to hear about people getting sick, but it’s a crime and extremely unhealthily the way these animals are raised and butchered just for human consumption. Too many natural resources are wasted in the production of animal meat that can be used in better ways to feed this nation. The big corporations that run these meat farms and the politicians in their pockets would never step up to stop this practice and pronouns it’s bad habits. Our bodies are not meant to be bombarded with heavily processed meat produces. I just wish there was a way to educate the people to ban these money making industries that just harm our food supply and environment with their cow crap.

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