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| Maine Firm Recalls Ground
and Tenderized Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7
Contamination |
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| Recall Release |
CLASS I RECALL |
| FSIS-RC-024-2012 |
HEALTH RISK: HIGH |
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bill Bagley
WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 - Town and Country
Foods Inc., a Greene, Maine establishment, is recalling
approximately 2,057 pounds of ground and tenderized 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.
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PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit
www.fsis.usda.gov
Wash hands before and after handling raw meat with warm/hot (preferred) or cold soapy running water by rubbing hands together
vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Also wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot (preferred), soapy water and clean
up any spills right away. The mechanical action of vigorous rubbing of hands and utensils/surfaces creates friction that helps
to dislodge bacteria and viruses from hands and surfaces.
Additionally, warm/hot water helps to dissolve fats/foods, aiding in cleaning/microbe removal and can also assist in deactivation of
pathogens. For more information on hand washing, go to http://www.cdc.gov/
handwashing.
If soapy water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers
can reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations. However, sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs, including viruses.
Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be thoroughly cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat,
poultry, and their juices and thoroughly cooked foods. Thoroughly cook ground meat such as beef to an internal temperature of 160° F,
as measured with a food thermometer, before eating. Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase (one hour if
temperatures exceed 90° F). Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.
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The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
- 5- and 10- lb. boxes of 2-, 2.6-, 3-, and 4- oz. “Town &
Country Foods XL Hamburg Patties”
- 5- and 10- lb. boxes of 2-, 2.6-, 3-, and 4- oz. “Town &
Country Foods Hamburg Patties”
- 10- lb. box containing variously weighted bags of “Town
& Country Beef for Stewing”
- 6-, 8-, and 10- oz. “Town & Country Beef Sirloin Filets”
- 5- and 10- lb. boxes containing variously weighted bags
of “Town and Country Hamburg”
- 5- and 10- lb. boxes containing variously weighted bags
of “Town and Country XL Hamburg”
Each case bears a label with the establishment number “EST.
9710” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Additionally, the
products contain the following packaging codes: 10952, 10962,
10972, 11002, and 11012. The products subject to recall were
produced between April 4, 2012 and April 10, 2012 and were
shipped to wholesale and retail establishments in Maine. When
available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on
FSIS' website at
www.fsis.usda.gov/
FSIS_Recalls/
Open_Federal_Cases
/index.asp.
The problem was discovered through company lab testing which
confirmed a positive result for E.coli O157:H7. The
company did not hold product pending test results, resulting in
this recall. FSIS and the company have received no reports of
illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a
healthcare provider.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify
recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and to
ensure that steps are taken to make certain that the product is
no longer available to consumers.
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 advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat
products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground
beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only
way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high
enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer
that measures internal temperature.
Consumers and media with questions regarding the recall should
contact Karen Brackett of Town & Country Foods, Inc. at (207)
946-5489.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day
at www.AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov.
"Ask Karen" live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 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 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. |
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Last Modified:
May 7, 2012 |
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| USDA
Recall Classifications |
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Class I |
This
is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability
that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences
or death. |
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Class II |
This
is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of
adverse health consequences from the use of the product. |
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Class III |
This
is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse
health consequences. |
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