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Senior Citizen Alerts
Recall of Topps Ground Beef Due to E Coli Now
Includes 21.7 Million Pounds
Currently 25 people are presumed ill from
contamination
 Oct.
1, 2007 – A voluntary recall of ground beef was expanded on Saturday to
include 21.7 million pounds of products from the Topps Meat Company that
may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The original recall by Topps
on Sept. 25 is
being expanded due to additional positive product sample reported by the
New York Health Department, reported illnesses and findings from a food
safety assessment conducted by the
Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service
at the establishment.
(See complete recall list below.)
There are currently 25 illnesses under investigation in Connecticut,
Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. An
investigation carried out by the New York Department of Health in
coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
preceded the recall of Sept. 25.
This represents all products produced by Topps with
a “sell by date” or “best if used by date” that falls between September
25, 2007 and September 25, 2008. This information may be found on the
back panel of the package. All recalled products will have a USDA
establishment number of EST 9748, which is located on the back panel of
the package and/or in the USDA legend.
"I think the
American meat supply is the safest in the world," said Dr. Richard
Raymond, the Agriculture Department's undersecretary of food safety, who
appeared on the CBS "Early Show" this morning. "A recall like this does
show that we are on the job, we are doing our inspections, our
investigation, and we respond when we find problems to make sure that
supply is safe."
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Why is the
E. coli
O157:H7 bacterium of special concern in ground beef?
E.
coli O157:H7 can colonize in
the intestines of animals, which could contaminate muscle meat
at slaughter.
O157:H7 is a strain of
E. coli
that produces large quantities of a potent toxin that forms in
the intestine and causes severe damage to the lining of the
intestine. The disease produced by the bacteria is called
Hemorrhagic Colitis.
E. coli
O157:H7 survive refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Once they
get in food, they can multiply very slowly at temperatures as
low as 44 °F. The actual infectious dose is unknown, but most
scientists believe it takes only a small number of this strain
of E. coli
to cause serious illness and even death, especially in children.
It is killed by thorough cooking.
Illnesses caused by
E. coli
O157:H7 have been linked with the consumption of undercooked
ground beef. Raw milk, apple cider, dry cured sausage, and
undercooked roast beef have also been implicated.
Read more at USDA Food Safety and Inspection
Service |
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Also called: Escherichia coli
E. coli is the name of a type of bacteria that lives in
your intestines. Most types of E. coli are harmless.
However, some types can make you sick and cause
diarrhea. One type causes travelers' diarrhea. The
worst type of E. coli causes bloody diarrhea, and can
sometimes cause kidney failure and even death. These
problems are most likely to occur in children and in
adults with weak immune systems.
You can get E. coli infections by eating foods
containing the bacteria. To help avoid
food poisoning and prevent infection, handle
food safely. Cook meat well, wash fruits and
vegetables before eating or cooking them, and avoid
unpasteurized milk and juices. You can also get the
infection by swallowing water in a swimming pool
contaminated with human waste.
Most cases of E. coli infection get better without
treatment in 5 to 10 days.
More from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases
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Preparing ground beef for safe consumption
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit
www.fsis.usda.gov
Although the product(s) being recalled should be returned to the
point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef
products should heed the following advice.
Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been
cooked to a safe temperature of 160 ºF. When a ground beef patty
is cooked to
160 ºF throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of
color.
The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high
enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an
accurate food thermometer.
Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have
been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful
bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.
Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying
that the safe temperature of 160 ºF has been reached is a
significant risk factor for foodborne illness.
Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is
especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef
patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because
E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death.
Those most at risk include young children, seniors, and those
with compromised immune systems. |
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“Because the health and safety of our consumers is
our top priority, we are taking these expansive measures,” said Vice
President of Operations Geoffrey Livermore. “Topps is continuing to work
with the USDA, state departments of health, retailers and distributors
to ensure the safety of our consumers.
"Additionally, we have augmented our internal
quality control procedures with microbiologists and food safety experts.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience and concerns this may cause our
consumers.”
The problem was discovered through sampling done by
the New York State Department of Health as part of their coordinated
investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into
reported illnesses. This is the first product recall in the 65-year
history of Topps.
Products affected by this expanded recall were
distributed to retail grocery stores and food service institutions
throughout the United States. Based on consumption patterns, the Company
believes that the vast majority of the recalled product has been
consumed.
It is imperative that consumers look for these
products in their freezers immediately. If you have a product marked
with the above information, please remove the sell-by date and UPC code
and send it to:
Attn: Recall Coordinator, Topps Meat Company LLC,
P.O. Box 219, 1161 E. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 for a full
refund.
It is important to dispose the remaining product
immediately.
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 exposure could include
stomach cramps and diarrhea. Bloody diarrhea may develop. E. coli
disease sometimes leads to a complication called hemolytic uremic
syndrome (HUS). If you exhibited any of these symptoms within 3 to 5
days of consuming any of the products specified above, seek medical
attention immediately.
In an abundance of caution, consumers who handle
the recalled product are advised to thoroughly wash their hands and
contact surfaces.
Lastest information at USDA Food Safety and
Inspection Service (click).
For further information on food safety please
contact the USDA web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Safety_Education/index.asp
Topps has established a Consumer Hotline to answer
questions concerning this recall. Consumers may call 888-734-0451 or
visit www.toppsmeat.com.
The products subject to the original and expanded
recall include:
• 10-pound boxes of “BUTCHER’S BEST 100%
ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 4 OZ (4-1), 40 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “BUTCHER’S BEST 100%
ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 6 OZ FLAT, 27 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “KOHLER FOODS 4 OZ
FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60100, 40 PCS.”
• 10-pound boxes of “KOHLER FOODS 6 OZ
FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60200, 27 PCS.”
• 10-pound boxes of “KOHLER FOODS 8 OZ
FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60300, 20 PCS.”
• 3-pound boxes of “MIKE'S 12 SEASONED
BEEF PATTIES.”
• 5-pound boxes of “MIKE'S 20 SEASONED
BEEF PATTIES.”
• 3-pound boxes of “PATHMARK 100% ALL
BEEF BURGERS, 16 BEEF BURGERS.”
• 5-pound boxes of “PATHMARK 100% ALL
BEEF BURGERS, 20 BEEF BURGERS.”
• 10-pound boxes of “PATHMARK 100% ALL
BEEF BURGERS, 40 BEEF BURGERS.”
• 10-pound boxes of “RASTELLI'S FINE
FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 10 OZ H, 16 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “RASTELLI'S FINE
FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “RASTELLI'S FINE
FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 4 OZ, 40 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “RASTELLI'S FINE
FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “RASTELLI'S FINE
FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT.”
• 10 pound boxes of RASTELLI'S FINE
FOODS 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 6 OZ, FLAT 27 COUNT. •
10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 2 OZ, 80
PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 3.2 OZ, 50 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 4 OZ, 40 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5 OZ, 32 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5.3 OZ, 30 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ, 27 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 7 OZ, 23 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ FLAT, 20 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ H, 20 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “ROMA - TOPPS 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 10 OZ H, 16 PIECES.”
• 3-pound bags of “SAM'S CHOICE BACKYARD
GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 75/25, 12 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES.”
• 6-pound bags of “SAM'S CHOICE BACKYARD
GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 75/25, 24 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES.”
• 3-pound bags of “SAM'S CHOICE BACKYARD
GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 80/20, 12 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES.”
• 3-pound bags of “SAM'S CHOICE BACKYARD
GOURMET BEEF BURGERS, 85/15, 12 QUARTER POUND ROUND PATTIES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (75/25), 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 4 OZ, 40 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 6 OZ, 27 COUNT. • 10-pound
boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (80/20), 8
OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 4 OZ, 40 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGER (85/15), 10 OZ H, 16 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SAND CASTLE FINE
MEAT ANGUS CHUCK BURGER (80/20), 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT.”
• 3-pound boxes of “SHOP RITE 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 16 3 OZ BURGERS.”
• 3-pound boxes of “SHOP RITE 100% PURE
QUARTER POUND GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS.”
• 5-pound boxes of “SHOP RITE 100% PURE
QUARTER POUND GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS.”
• 10-pound boxes of “SHOP RITE 100% PURE
QUARTER POUND GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 1 OZ SLIDER.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 10 OZ (PUB BURGER).”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 2 OZ.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 2.67 OZ.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 3 OZ HOMESTYLE.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 4 OZ.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGERS, 4 OZ (4-1) HOMESTYLE.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 4 OZ FLAT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 5 OZ, 32 PIECES.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGERS 5 OZ (1/2- inch)” • 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (5/8- inch).”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (85/15).”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (HOMESTYLE).”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 6 OZ (PUB BURGER).”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 7 OZ.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 7 OZ (75/25).”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGER, 8 OZ FLAT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PREMIUM
HAMBURGERS, 8 OZ (PUB BURGER)” • 1.5-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 3 OZ (8 COUNT).”
• 2-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 3 OZ, 10 COUNT.”
• 3-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 6 OZ. PUB BURGERS.”
• 2-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 8 QUARTER POUNDERS.”
• 3-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 12 QUARTER POUNDERS.”
• 3-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 16 HAMBURGERS.”
• 5-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 20 QUARTER POUNDERS.”
• 8-pound boxes of “TOPPS 100% PURE
GROUND BEEF HAMBURGERS, 32 QUARTER POUNDERS.”
• 2-pound boxes of “TOPPS SIRLOIN STEAK
BURGERS WITH FIREROASTED ONIONS, 6 1/3 LB. HOMESTYLE BURGERS.”
• 2-pound boxes of “TOPPS SIRLOIN STEAK
BURGERS WITH PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS, 6 1/3 LB. HOMESTYLE BURGERS.”
• 2-pound boxes of “TOPPS SIRLOIN STEAK
BURGERS, 6 1/3 LB. HOMESTYLE BURGERS.”
• 10-pound boxes of “TOPPS HAMBURGERS,
3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “WEST SIDE 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 3 OZ, 53 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “WEST SIDE 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “WEST SIDE 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 4 OZ, 40 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “WESTSIDE, 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5 OZ FLAT, 32 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “WEST SIDE 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ, 27 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “WESTSIDE, 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT.”
• 10-pound boxes of “WESTSIDE, 100%
PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT.”
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