Beef Recalled - E. coli Contamination Feared

January 2008

A large amount of ground beef has been recalled due to suspected E. coli contamination, reports the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Approximately 188,000 pounds of the recalled beef were produced by Rochester Meat Company of Rochester, Minnesota and shipped to vendors nationwide for distribution to restaurants and food service institutions.

The recalled ground beef products were produced on Oct. 30, 2007 and Nov. 6, 2007. The following products are subject to recall:

• 10-pound boxes of “SEASONED BEEF BULK” bearing a product number of “09068,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “730314.”
• 10-pound boxes of “100% PURE BEEF PATTIES” bearing a product number of “09071,” as well as an eight-digit a lot number beginning with “731013.”
• 15-pound boxes of “CHEYENNE SEASONED BEEF PATTIES” bearing a product number of “12017” or “12018,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “730314.”
• 10-, 15- and 20-pound boxes of “100% PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES” bearing a product number of “1340,” “127533,” “135724,” “158843” or “158852,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “731013” or “731014.”
• 10-pound boxes of “100% PURE GROUND CHUCK BEEF PATTIES” bearing a product number of “158898,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “731014.”
• 10-, 15- and 25-pound boxes of “100% PURE GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES” bearing a product number of “85227,” “227806,” “407823,” “407830,” “407840,” “417841” or “437531,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “730314,” “731013,” or “731014.”
• 10-pound boxes of “OUR HOMESTYLE 100% PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES” bearing a product number of “208033,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “731014.”
• 15-pound boxes of “SEASONED BEEF PATTIES” bearing a product number of “357835,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “730314.”
• 15- and 15.3-pound boxes of “USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER 100% PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES” bearing a product number of “437507” or “437521,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “730314,” “731013,” or “731014.”
• 15-pound boxes of “USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES” bearing a product number of “437822,” as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with “731014.”

Each box is labeled with the establishment number “Est. 8999” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Five illnesses in Wisconsin and one in California are being investigated in connection to this ground beef. Symptoms of E. coli sickness typically begin about one week after exposure and include abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and potential fever, nausea and vomiting. E. coli infection may be fatal in the young, the elderly and in people with weakened immune systems.