Yet another big (380,000 pound) beef recall

The Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a “Class I, High Health Risk” recall due to contamination of beef by E. coli O157:H7.

A HIGH RISK, Class 1 recall is a “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

JBS Swift Beef Company, a Greeley, Colo., establishment is voluntarily expanding its June 24 recall to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal 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.

The beef products were produced on April 21, 2009 and were distributed both nationally and internationally.

“The contamination may have come from further processing by other companies,” Chandler Keys, JBS spokesman, said on Sunday.

USDA said the recalled products are typically used for steaks and roasts rather than ground beef. However, it said some of the beef may have been processed into ground products by other companies.

E. coli O157:H7 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. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions can call 1-800-685-6328. For more information go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_034_2009_Expanded/index.asp

Stay informed about future recalls:

• Visit www.foodsafety.gov or www.recalls.gov to learn about food safety news and food safety alerts.
• Visit USDA’s website to view a list of recent meat and poultry recalls. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/index.asp.
• Register to receive e-mail notification of USDA recalls and public health alerts. https://service.govdelivery.com/service/multi_subscribe.html?code=USFSIS
• Visit FDA’s website to view a list of recent recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts. http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
• Register to receive e-mail notification of FDA recalled products. https://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USFDA_48
• Look for recall notices at local retailers