Commercial Meat Co. Recalls Ground Beef for E. Coli - Affects California, Nevada

California Firm Recalls Ground Beef Due to Possible E.Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL FSIS-RC-080-2011 HEALTH RISK: HIGH Congressional and Public Affairs (202) 720-9113 Adam Tarr WASHINGTON, Oct 11, 2011 - 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 today. 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 PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills. Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F. Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such asE. coli O157:H7. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature. Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking. 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 on Frederal establishment in California for further processing. The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E.coliO157: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. Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day atAskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.