US: Ground beef recall extends to Safeway

Safeway Expands Recall of Ground Beef Products Sold in Four States

PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway announced that it has been informed by Interstate Meat Distributors that some of the ground beef products produced for Safeway included trimmings that were subject to XL Foods Inc.'s expanded recall. In cooperation with the USDA Food Safety Information Service's expanded public health alert on raw boneless beef trim products imported from Canada by XL Foods Inc. that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, Safeway is voluntarily expanding its September 22, 2012* recall of ground beef items to include additional dates and states.

Safeway stores in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington (State) are included in this recall of all fresh ground beef sold from the self-service meat cooler and the full-service meat counter with Sell By dates of 08-28-12 to 09-23-12. This includes all items that use fresh ground beef as an ingredient, including but not limited to meatballs, sliders and gourmet burgers.

In addition, the following pre-packaged products distributed by Interstate Meat Distributors with the specified Sell By dates are also subject to the expanded XL Foods Inc. recall.
                                                                     Product Name UPC                 Sell By Date(s)                States
                                                                     ------------ ---                  --------------                ------
Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80% Lean- 20% Fat-Four 1/3rd Pound Patties                  75290760083 09-12-12             MT, OR, WA
--------------------------------------------------------------------                  ----------- --------             ----------
Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80% Lean- 20% Fat-Ten 1/3rd Pound Patties                   75290760084 09-12-12             MT, OR, WA
-------------------------------------------------------------------                   ----------- --------             ----------
73% Lean Ground Beef 27% Fat 3 Lb Chub                                                75290718251 09-19-12 and 09-21-  OR, WA
                                                                                                                     12
---                                                                                                                 ---
96% Lean Ground Beef 4% Fat                                                           20166500000 9-11-2012 and 09-    ID, MT, OR, WA
                                                                                                  22-12
---                                                                                               -----
Northwest 93% Lean Ground Beef 7% Fat Natural                                         20169700000 9-11-2012, 09-19-12  ID, MT, OR, WA
                                                                                                  and 09-22-12
---                                                                                               ------------
80% Lean Ground Beef Patties 20% Fat                                                  75290760084 9-11-2012 and 09-    MT, OR, WA
                                                                                                  22-12
---                                                                                               -----
80% Lean Ground Beef Patties 20% Fat                                                  75290760083 09-19-2012 and 09-   ID, MT, OR, WA
                                                                                                  22-12
---                                                                                               -----
90% Lean Ground Sirloin Beef Patties 10% Fat                                          75290760085 9-11-2012 and 09-    MT, OR, WA
                                                                                                  22-212
---                                                                                               ------
NOTE: None of the recalled products are currently in stores. However, Safeway is asking customers to check their refrigerators and freezers for the above-listed products, which should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and, in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

The USDA Food Safety Information Service (FSIS) advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
Safeway customers can contact 1-800-SAFEWAY for more information.

Original source: Safeway Inc