Illinois Company Recalls Ground Beef

FRIDAY, May 22 (HealthDay News)—Nearly 96,000 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacterium E. coli 0157:H7 have been recalled by Valley Meats LLC of Coal Valley, Ill., the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday.

Federal officials classified the recall as "Class One," which means that eating the meat poses a high health risk, CNN reported.

An outbreak of illness linked to the meat was first reported by the Ohio Department of Health on May 13. Illnesses have also been reported in Illinois and Pennsylvania.

E. coli 0157:H7—which can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and kidney failure—poses the greatest danger to the very young, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, says the USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service.

3S Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95554."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95556."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95573."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95574."

Grillmaster Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 100 (10-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95588."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95500."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95502."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." The cases can be identified by the case codes "95504" and "95505."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95508."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95509."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER BEEF PATTIE." Each case can be identified by the case code "95512."

J & B Brand Products:

* 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 28, 6-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF HOAGIE PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51706."
* 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 14, 12-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF DINNER PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51312."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11028."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11024."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 10 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT VEAL LUNCHEON CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "13014."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN SEASONED GROUND BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "11384BR."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 packages (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "J1004."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51803."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51804."

Klub Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95565."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95567."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95568."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95583."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95584."

Thick 'N Savory Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95579."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95580."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95581."

Ultimate Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1012CL."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1013CL."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1014CL."

Products with No Specified Name Brand:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50123."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50125."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50127."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3253."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3254."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3255."
* 24.75-pound cases containing a total of 144 "KEEP RERIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "8218."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020EC."
* 40-pound cases containing a total of 8 (8 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020VP."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8515."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020ECF."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "10201."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND MEAT." Each package bears the identifying case code "10301."

Additionally, each product bears the establishment number "EST. 5712" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The (2-1), (3-1), (4-1), (5-1) and (6-1) markings refer to the number of portions per one-pound.

These ground beef products were produced on March 10, 2009, and were distributed to various consignees nationwide.

The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media and consumers questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company spokesperson at (309) 799-7341.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.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.

Source: USDA Food and Safety Service