WASHINGTON – Commercial Meat Co., a Los Angeles, Calif., establishment is recalling approximately 377,775 pounds of ground 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 .
The following ground beef products are subject to recall:
- 5,10,15,20,30,40,50 and 60 lb. cases of bulk ground beef
- 5,10 and 20 lb. cases of ground beef patties
- 10,15,20,30,40 and 50 lb. cases of ground beef taco
- 5,10,15,20,25,30,40,50 and 60 lb. cases of ground beef chili
Each case bears a label with the establishment number "EST. 4873" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products subject to recall were produced between Sept. 7, 2011 and Oct. 6, 2011 and were shipped to restaurants in California and Nevada, as well as one Federal establishment in California for further processing.
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring 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 (including restaurants) 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 the company’s Manager, Neil Brown, at (213) 622-6997.
Source: USDA FSIS
