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According to FSIS, King Soopers has announced a voluntary recall of various ground beef products after learning the products could potentially be linked to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak. The possible association is being investigated by the Colorado Department of Health.

Approximately 466,236 pounds of ground beef chubs, tray packs and patties (processed in Denver, Colorado) are affected by the voluntary and precautionary recall. The products were processed on various dates between May 23, 2009 and June 13, 2009, and bear Establishment Number "EST. 6250." In turn, the ground beef chub products bear a use-by/sell-by date between "05/31/09" and "06/21/09;" the tray packs of ground beef bear a use-by/sell-by date between "06.02.09" and "06.23.09;" and the ground beef patty products bear a use-by/sell-by date between "06.01.09" and "06.22.09." The products were distributed to retail establishments in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The products (produced in Denver, Colorado). Click on the following link to view the FSIS Recall Release.

The specific products subject to recall include:

• 1-pound chubs of (93/7) ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "69558."

• 1 - 1.25-lb. tray packs of (96/4) ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "67164."

• 1 - 1.25-lb. tray packs of (96/4) ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "67664."

• 1 - 1.25-lb. tray packs of (93/7) ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "67663."

• 1 - 1.25-lb. tray packs of (93/7) ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "67163."

• 2.5 - 3-lb. tray packs of (93/7) ground beef. Each package bears the identifying case code "67654."

• 6-pack trays of (93/7) ground beef patties. Each package bears the identifying case code "67106."

• 4-pack trays of (93/7) ground beef patties. Each package bears the identifying case code "67115."

As a result of an ongoing investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 potentially associated with ground beef, the Colorado Department of Public Health notified FSIS of the problem. Epidemiological investigations, and a case control study, conducted by Colorado Department of Health and CDC determined that there may be an association between the fresh ground beef products and 14 illnesses reported in Colorado.

Although the FSIS has no reason to believe that the products are still available for sale in commerce, the agency is nevertheless advising consumers that may have purchased the fresh ground beef between May 23 and June 23, 2009, and who may still have the products in their freezers, to look for and discard any potentially affected products.

As always, FSIS also reminds consumers that thoroughly cooking raw beef products to an internal temperature of 160 degrees will destroy any pathogens that may be present, and will render the products safe.

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Tanimura & Antle (located in Salinas, California) has announced a voluntary recall of various romaine lettuce products following a finding of Salmonella in a random sampe taken by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. Immediately after being informed of the positive test result, the company initiated comprehensive trace-back efforts, and was able to contact all customers within hours. Those buyers have been told to destroy the lettuce.

The recalled lettuce, which had been distributed to retail, foodservice and wholesale customers in 29 states, was harvested between June 25 and July 2, 2009. The specific products affected by the recall include cartons of bulk and wrapped lettuce with a lot code 531380. Click here to view a copy of the Company Press Release.

According to Tanimura & Antle, the affected products were distributed to the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Chief executive officer Rick Antle stated that Tanimura & Antle practices strict food safety guidelines. Additionally, despite the lettuce being past its shelf life, he cited an "abundance of caution" in issuing the recall. "We will continue to review opportunities for improvement," Antle said. “Although the recalled product is well beyond the 14-16 day shelf life, we are voluntarily issuing this recall because we want to ensure that we minimize even the slightest risk to public health.”

To date, there have been no reports of illness associated with the lettuce. Moving forward, the company also stated that it will continue to update its website with more information. Consumers with questions, or who need information, may call Tanimura & Antle at 1-877-827-7388.

AUGUST 3, 2009 UPDATE:

On August 3, 2009, Tanimura & Antle expanded the geographic scope of its original recall to include product distributed to all 50 states.  Although the volume of cases from the single recalled lot (which is identified above) has not changed, the company recognizesd the possibility that some customers may have distributed the romaine in states beyond the original 29 -- thus, prompting the expansion. Click on the following link to view a copy of the Updated Recall Release.

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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.

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The JBS Swift Beef Company has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 41,280 pounds of beef products, following the discovery of E. coli O157:H7 during FSIS microbiological sampling, and an investigation involving the distribution of all potentially affected products.

The products affected by the recall were produced by JBS Swift (in Greeley, Colorado) on April 21 and 22, 2009, and were distributed to distributors and retail establishments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

The specific products subject to recall include:

• Boxes of "USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/DN S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "21852."

• Boxes of "USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/UP S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "21853."

• Boxes of "Swift, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/DN S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "31852."

• Boxes of "Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/UP S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "31853."

• Boxes of "Swift, USDA SELECT, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/DN S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "33852."

• Boxes of "USDA SELECT, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/UP S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "33853."

• Boxes of "BLACK ANGUS, Swift Premium, BEEF, USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/UP S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "41853."

• Boxes of "BLACK ANGUS, Swift Premium, BEEF, USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/UP S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "41853."

• Boxes of "Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/DN S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, an identifying package date of "042109" and a case code of "79852."

• Boxes of "Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/UP S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, an identifying package date of "042109" and a case code of "79853."

• Boxes of "USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER, Bnls Beef Bottom Sirloin, Butt Ball Tip 2/UP S/T." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 969" inside the USDA mark of inspection, identifying package dates of "042109" or "042209" and a case code of "90853."

All raw meat products carry federally-mandated safe-handling labels.  In turn, FSIS reminds consumers that thoroughly cooking raw beef products will destroy any pathogens that may be present, and will render the products safe.

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The FDA has awarded $1 million in Food Safety and Security Monitoring grants to three states.

Arkansas, Nebraska and Wisconsin will each receive $350,000 to fund Food Emergency Response Network chemistry laboratories, in continuing efforts to facilitate the creation of a nationally integrated food safety system. Last year the FDA awarded $5.2 million in similar grants to state and local agencies in California, Ohio and Colorado.

According to the FDA, the money can be used by the states for facility upgrades, training in current food testing methodologies, increased laboratory sample analysis capacity and other activities.

The Arkansas Department of Health is expected to use the funds to increase its capability for testing for toxic and unknown substances in food products, to enhance its ability to provide regional support during national food surveillance activities, and to increase its state and local emergency response capacities.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture will reportedly use the grant money to increase its food product and chemical analysis abilities. Nebraska may also use the money to expand laboratory capacities.

Finally, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture has indicated that it will likely use the money to enhance its food-related emergency response systems, specifically in the area of chemical analysis.

According to the FDA, the recipients of the grants may also be required, in the event of a national food-related emergency, to perform selected analyses of food samples collected by the FDA or other government agencies.

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