After third party lab results confirmed E. coli O157:H7 presence in ground beef, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, of Askansas City are recalling 14,158 of their produce. So far, no reports have come in of illnesses linked to these products, the company and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inform.

The recall includes the following products (View Labels, PDF):

  • 40-pound (approx) Beef Chuck Fine Grind 81/19 Natural, containing 10-pound chubs. Product code 80825.
  • 40-pound (approx) BEEF FINE GRIND 90/10 NATURAL, containing 10-pound chubs. Product code 80495.
  • 40-pound (approx) BEEF SIRLOIN FINE GRIND 91/9 NATURAL, containing 5-pound chubs. Product code 85165.
  • 60-pound (approx) BEEF FINE GROUND 93/7, containing 10-pound chubs. Product code 86191.

Inside the USDA mark of inspection you can read the number EST. 27. The recalled products were produced on February 22nd, 2011 and were transported to companies in Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, where they were processed further and/or distributed on.

The recalled products could have been repackaged into smaller consumer-sized packages under different retail brand names. Retail distribution lists(s) are posted on the FSIS website.

In a communiqué, the FSIS wrote:

“FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.”

Escherichia coli, more commonly known as E. coli is one of many bacteria that line the human gut, and also that of animals. It can also be found in undercooked or raw beef, tainted water and milk. The majority of E. coli strains are harmless, except for 0157:H7 which can cause food poisoning.

E. coli infection can spread as the result of eating tainted foods, such as undercooked beef burgers, uncooked vegetables which have come into contact with contaminated water, consuming untreated dairy products, and being in contact with infected animals.

E. coli symptoms include diarrhea (can be bloody), abdominal pain, and fever (occasionally). In severe cases there can be kidney failure. Symptoms usually emerge within one to three days after infection. Very young children/babies, elderly individuals and those with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to come down with foodborne illnesses and suffer complications.

Make sure you prepare raw meat products safely. Ground beef should be cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The FSIS says that the only way to be sure the bacteria is killed is to use a food thermometer than measures internal temperature.

The following phone number is available for consumers and media regarding this recall: (620) 741-3352 (VP Marketing, Jim Rogers).

Source: FSIS

Written by Christian Nordqvist