EMPORIA, Kan. – Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 131,000 lbs. of packaged retail ground beef produced at its Emporia, Kan., plant. A sample of the product analyzed by the Ohio Department of Health was found to contain E. coli O157:H7.
Each package contains the establishment code EST 245D as well as a “Best Before or Freeze By Sept. 12, 2011.” The product was produced on Aug. 23. The ground beef was sold in pre-packaged printed chubs that are placed directly into the retail meat case. The recall does not involve any clear film, tray-pack ground beef or any ground-beef patties.
Tyson officials said given the use-by dates, it is likely most of the affected product has already been consumed. However, the company urges consumers to check their freezers and, if they find the product in question, to return or discard it.
Products being recalled include:
- 5-lb. chub – Kroger Quality Guaranteed Ground Beef 73% Lean 27% Fat
- 3-lb. chub – Butcher’s Brand Premium Beef, Ground Beef 73% Lean 27% Fat
- 3-lb. chub – Ground Beef 73% Lean 27% Fat (Printed film for retail)
Tyson Fresh Meats shipped the suspect ground beef to The Kroger Company, Food Lion Inc., SAV-A-LOT, Spectrum Foods Inc., Supervalu and the Defense Commissary Agency, as well as distribution centers in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin
Retail stores that received the suspect product will be identified and posted on USDA’s website on Sept. 28.
