Washington Firm Recalls Ground Beef for Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

E Coli :: Washington Firm Recalls Ground Beef for Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Tyson Fresh Meats, a Wallula, Wash., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 16,743 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department 4 of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The products subject to recall include:

60-pound boxes containing six 10-pound chubs of "ROUND, COARSE GROUND BEEF, 85/15." The box end also bears a label with the establishment number "Est. 9268" as well as a "BEST BEFORE OR FROZEN BY" date of "03/08/07" and packaging date "02/16/07."

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling at another federally inspected establishment. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

The ground beef was produced on Feb. 16, 2007 and was sent to distributors in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

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.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company Consumer Hotline at (800) 233-6332, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard Time. Media with questions about the recall should contact company Director of Media Relations Gary Mickelson at (479) 290-6111.