NY Company Recalling Ground Beef Due To E. coli Contamination and Link to Illness
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(866) 735-1102 Ext 300
November 1, 2009
Fairbank Farms of Ashville, NY, is voluntarily recalling approximately 545,699 pounds of fresh 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. This is a USDA Class I Recall, meaning this is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
The recalled ground beef product was produced September 14 - 16, 2009 and sold in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The recalled products are past their expiration date by 23 to 32 days, meaning they are no longer being sold as fresh product in supermarkets. “We are urging consumers to check their freezers for ground beef products that are listed in the recall. Consumers who identify these products should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund,” said Ron Allen, CEO of Fairbank Farms.
FSIS, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health and agriculture departments, determined during an investigation that there is an association between the fresh ground beef products subject to recall and illnesses in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts.
To identify recalled products, consumers should check the package label for product name, package weight and sell-by date. All labels will show an establishment number of EST 492 inside the USDA mark of inspection. Recalled products include:
ACME
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 through 09/28/09)
· Wild Harvest Natural Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Lancaster Brand Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1 lb packages
· Lancaster Brand Ground Beef 90/10, 1 lb packages & 2 lb packages
BJ’s Wholesale Club/Burris
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 through 09/28/09)
· Fresh Ground Beef Patties 85/15, 5 lb packages
· Lean Ground Beef 93/07, 3 lb packages & 5 lb packages
· Meatloaf and Meatball Mix, 2.5 lb packages
Ford Brothers
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Fresh Ground Beef Patty 80/20, 3 lb packages
Giant Food Stores
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Giant Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1 lb packages
· Giant Nature’s Promise Ground Beef, 1 lb packages
· Giant Nature’s Promise Ground Beef Patties
· Giant Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1 lb packages
Price Chopper
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Price Chopper Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1 lb packages & 2.5 lb packages
· Price Chopper Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/4, 1 lb packages
· Price Chopper Fresh Ground Beef Chuck for Chili 80/20, 1 lb packages
Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc.
Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 93/7, 1 lb packages and 2 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 80/20, 1 lb packages, 2 lb packages, 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 75/25, 1 lb packages and 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Sirloin Beef Patties 90/10, 1.3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Round Beef Patties 85/15, 1.3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80/20, 1.3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties Family Pack 80/20, 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Round Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages , 2 lb packages , 3 lb packages
· Shaw’s Natural Ground Beef 90/10, 1 lb packages
· Shaw’s Natural Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Shaw’s Fresh Ground Sirloin 90/10, 1 lb packages , 2 lb packages , 3 lb packages
· Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1 lb packages
Trader Joe’s
Brick packs (Sell-by dates 10/06/09 or10/07/09)
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 80/20, 1 lb packages
· Packaged Products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Beef Patty 85/15, 1 lb packages
· Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 96/4 Extra Lean, 1 lb packages
Other products
· Cases of 10-lb. Fairbank Farms fresh ground beef chubs (for store grind). These products had a sell date of 10/3/09, 10/4/09 or 10/5/09, but will likely not bear those sell-by dates on their package labels. These products were distributed to retail establishments in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia for further processing. Consumers with concerns should contact their point of purchase.
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 food borne illness. Anyone with signs or symptoms of food borne illness should consult a physician.
For complete recall information visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_059_2009_Release/index.asp
Consumers with questions about the recall can call Fairbank Farms’ toll-free hotline at 1-877-546-0122. The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is also available, in English and Spanish, and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday.
When a product causes serious injury or death, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling product liability cases. Products liability is the branch of law that deals with the liability of parties involved in the manufacturing of a product for any damages caused by the product. Call Napoli Bern Ripka LLP today at 888-529-4669 to discuss your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.