Virginia Firm Recalls Beef Products for Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
The products subject to recall are:
* 10- pound bags of "DINNER BELL GROUND BEEF." The products were produced between July 31 and August 17, 2006.
* 10- pound box of "DINNER BELL CUBED STEAK." The product was produced on August 9, 2006.
* 80- pound box of "DINNER BELL BONELESS BEEF." The product was produced on August 14, 2006.
Each package bears the establishment number "Est. 7440" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The problem was discovered through company testing. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
The products were distributed to retail establishments and a distributor in southern Virginia.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Media with questions about the recall may contact company owner G.D. Gilliam at (434) 847-7766. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the company HACCP coordinator Maggie Hancock at (434) 847-7766.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ Food_Safety_Education/ Ask_Karen/index.asp #Question. 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.
