FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

28/12/07 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for approximately 14,800 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, that were produced by Texas American Food Service Corporation, a Fort Worth, Texas, establishment doing business as American Fresh Foods. This public health alert was initiated after a trailer containing the products was reported stolen by the company.

The consumer products subject to this public health alert include:
* 2-pound approximate weight packages of "73/27 GROUND BEEF" bearing a sell-by date of "12.30.07"
* 2-pound approximate weight packages of "80/20 GROUND BEEF CHUCK" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"
* 1-pound approximate weight packages of "85/15 GROUND BEEF ROUND" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"
* 1-pound approximate weight packages of "90/10 GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"
* 1-pound approximate weight packages of "96/04 EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF, 4% FAT" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"

Each package label bears the establishment number "EST. 13116" inside the USDA mark of inspection and the company name "American Fresh Foods, Ft. Worth, TX 76102" below the nutrition information. Each package has a net weight of approximately 1 to 2 pounds.

Bulk product also subject to this health alert include:

* 40-pound "net wt." box of "73/27 100% GROUND BEEF; REWORK MAP"
* 260-pound "net wt." combo bin of " CHUCK 100% GROUND BEEF; REWORK MAP"
* 370-pound "net wt." combo bin of "SIRLOIN 100% GROUND BEEF; REWORK"

Each bulk product label bears the establishment number "EST. 13116" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a date of "12-19-07" with the production information filled in by hand.

The consumer and bulk ground beef products were produced on Dec. 19, 2007.

Consumers should check for these products in their homes and should NOT eat these products. Immediately contact the company if unopened packages are found and do NOT throw them away intact. Opened packages should be destroyed and immediately reported to the company at the number below.

Consumers and media with questions about the public health alert should contact the company's consumer toll-free hotline at 1-800-724-1136, beginning Friday, Dec. 28 at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

E. coli O157:H7 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. No illnesses have been reported. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a physician.