CLASS I RECALL – HEALTH RISK: HIGH
Another Unbelievable Mess by the Food Industry
Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello-based Calif. company, is recalling about 393 tons (864,000 pounds, or the equivalent of about 14 million burgers) of beef products that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported.
The tainted beef products have been shipped mainly to California food outlets, USDA said.
The contamination was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by FSIS department. The FSA then determined that “a further investigation of establishment records was warranted.”
An image of E.coli bacteria provided by the USDA. The bacteria can cause diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure and death.The Agriculture Department, which oversees meat safety in the US, said it concluded “there is an association between the fresh ground beef products and illnesses in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts,” after a cluster of food-borne illnesses in New England was reported, and a New Hampshire resident had died consuming ground beef that may have been infected with the deadly E. coli bacteria. More images
Details of Recalled Products:
The following ground beef products were produced by the plant between January 5, 2010 and January 15, 2010, are subject to recall:
- 40 lb. boxes of “Huntington Meats Ground Beef”
- 40 lb. boxes of “HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING”
- 40 lb. boxes of “BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX”
- 10 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
- 20 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
- 10 lb. boxes of “El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES”
Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 17967″ inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between January 5, 2010, and January 15, 2010, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
In a subsequent inspection of the company’ss records, FSIS decided that additional products, as old as 2 years, could have be adulterated because they may have been tainted with E. coli O157:H7. Therefore, the following products produced between February 19, 2008 and May 15, 2008, are ALSO subject to recall:
- 40 lb. boxes of “Huntington Meats Ground Beef”
- 40 lb. boxes of ” HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING”
- 40 lb. boxes of “BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX”
- 10 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
- 20 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
- 10 lb. boxes of “El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES
Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 17967″ inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between February 19, 2008, and May 15, 2008, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California.
While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalled products. 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.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.
Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company owner, Robert Glenn, at (888) 894-8242.
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.
Safety Tips from USDA
SAFE PREPARATION OF FRESH AND FROZEN GROUND BEEF
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.
Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F, whether prepared from fresh or frozen raw meat products.
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
Related Links:
Colorado ecoli, Iowa ecoli, Kansas ecoli, Michigan ecoli, National Steak and Poultry of Owasso, South Dakota ecoli, Washington ecoli.
