Colorado Meat Packers Recalls Ground Beef For Mislabeling/Possible Adulteration

WASHINGTON – Colorado Meat Packers, a Denver, Colo., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,234 pounds of beef trim that was improperly labeled and potentially adulterated, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product label includes "For Cooking Only," indicating that it is intended for further processing to apply a full lethality at a federally inspected establishment. Because the product was sent to a federal establishment that does not conduct lethality operations, the product must be removed from commerce.

The following product is subject to recall:

2,234 lbs. Combo Bin of All Beef Trimmings

The bin bears the establishment number "EST. 17086" inside the USDA mark of inspection, can be identified by the case code "9002 N." The ground beef trim was produced on December 2, 2010 and sent to a federal establishment in Colorado for further processing without testing. All testing conducted on other trim produced on the same day from the same source materials was negative for E. coli O157:H7.

The problem was discovered as a result of an FSIS investigation and review of company records. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Members of the media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact, Plant Manager, Tony Salazar at (303) 295-0207.

Source: USDA FSIS