Valley Meat Recalls Frozen Ground Beef: Possible E. Coli Contamination

August 7, 2010

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-048-2010 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Richard J. McIntire

Valley Meat Company of Modesto, CA is recalling approximately one million pounds of frozen ground beef patties and bulk 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.

FSIS became aware of the problem on July 15 when the agency was notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of a small E. coli O157:H7 cluster of illnesses with a rare strain as determined by PFGE subtyping. A total of six patients with illness onset dates between April 8 and June 18, 2010 were reported at that time. After further review, CDPH added another patient from February to the case count, bringing the count to seven. FSIS is continuing to work with the CDPH and the company on the investigation. Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should contact a health care provider.

PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit
www.fsis.usda.gov

Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

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.

Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F.

Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

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

The following products are subject to recall: (#2155) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 8/1R (#2503) SMASHBURGER 40/7 OZ. – VAC PACK (#2510) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 OVAL (#2515) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 R (#2535) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1 OVAL (#2545) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1R (#2575) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 4/1R (#2595) IQF – 80/20% PATTIES 4/1R THIN (#2605) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 5/1R (#2635) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 6/1R (#2668) BEEF CHUCK PATTIES 7 OZ- 21# (#3075) *IQF* 85/15% PATTIES 4/1R USFI (#3090) ‘RPQ’ 85/15 PATTIES 160/4 OZ. (#3325) “RPQ” 90/10 BEEF PATTIES 40/4 OZ (#3350) 90/10% BEEF PATTIES 160/4 OZ. (#3450)SUPREMAS BEEF PATTIES 12/3# (#3519) *IQF* 4/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20% (#3520) *IQF* 5/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20% (#3522) *IQF* 6/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20% (#3675) BEEF SOY PATTIES RETAIL 6/5# (#3700) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3# (#3705) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 6/5# (#3710) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 8/3# (#3715) BIGGER VALLEY BURGER – 6/5# (#3725) 80/20 BIGGER BURGER 12/3# (#3751) 80/20% RETAIL PATTIES 12/3# (#3800) 85/15% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3# (#3850) BLACK ANGUS BURGER 12/2# BOX (#3875) 93/7% BEEF PATTIES 12/3# RETAIL (#3880) BUTCHER’S CUT 73/27 RETAIL BOXES 8# (#3882) BUTCHER’S CUT 73/27 PATTIES 12/2.5# (#3883) BUTCHER’S CUT 80/20 PATTIES 12/2.5# (#4000) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 10/1# (#4001) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 20/2# (#4005) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 40/1# (#4015) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/5# (#4020) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 8/5# (#4030) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/10# (#4035) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 15/3# (#4300) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 10/1# (#4305) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 40/1# (#4310) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/5# (#4315) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 8/5# (#4325) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 4/10# (#4326)*FRESH** 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10# (#4328)80/20 GROUND BEEF 4/10# WHITE BOX (#4329) ‘RPQ’ 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10# (#4335)80/20% GROUND BEEF 2/5# – PRINTED (#4610) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/5# (#4615) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 8/5# (#4625) “RPQ” 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/10# (#4630) 85/15% G B 4/10# CLEAR-generic

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