Utah-based Dale T. Smith and Sons Meat Packing is recalling about 38,200 pounds of beef products as they may be contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said.
The products subject to recall include:
- Various weight combo bins of Boneless Beef "50/50," "85/15," "90/10," "93/07" or "95/05".
- Various weight boxes of primal cuts, subprimal cuts and boxed beef.
The products were produced on August 7, 2012.
According to the FSIS, each box bears a label with the package date of "08/07/2012" as well as the establishment number "EST. 4975". The products were meant for further processing and may not bear "EST. 4975" when available for direct consumer purchase. The products were distributed to wholesale and retail establishments in California and Salt Lake City, Utah.
The problem came to light after a test by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service confirmed positive results for E. coli, and may have arisen due to refrigeration malfunction.
No reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products have been reported. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. Consumers are advised 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.
E. coli 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 food-borne illness.
by RTT Staff Writer
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