Colorado Firm Expands Recall To Include 380,000 Pounds Of Beef Products
On June 24, 2009, the JBS Swift Beef Company announced a voluntary recall of approximately 41,280 pounds of beef products. After consultation with the FSIS, and following a thorough review of its own records, the company has voluntarily expanded its initial recall to include an additional 380,000 pounds of select intact beef primal products. Click on the following link to view the FSIS Recall Release.
According to FSIS, the expanded recall was initiated voluntarily by JBS Swift, in an abundance of caution, as a result of an ongoing investigation by the CDC of numerous E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in multiple states. According to the company, the FSIS had indicated that some of these illnesses could potentially be associated with ground beef products further processed (by JBS Swift’s customers) from whole intact cuts. Click on the following link to view the JBS Release.
The beef products affected by the expanded recall were produced in Greeley, Colorado on April 21, 2009, and were distributed both nationally and internationally. Click on the following link to view a list of those products subject to the expanded recall.
Each box of recalled product bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, an identifying package date of "042109," and a time stamp ranging from "0618" to "1130." The recalled products include intact cuts of beef, such as primals, sub-primals, or boxed beef typically used for steaks and roasts (rather than for ground beef). As noted, however, because some of these products may have been further processed by downstream customers into ground beef, the final packaging may not bear the establishment number "EST. 969." As a result, FSIS is advising customers with concerns to contact their point of purchase.
FSIS also reminds consumers that, whether beef products are ground or intact, cooking beef products to 160 degrees will destroy any pathogens that may be present, and will render the products safe.
