Press Release 08/07/2006
Contact: Public Affairs (404) 656-3689
Agriculture Commissioner Irvin warns
E. coli 0157:H7 contamination suspected
in 4,337 pounds of ground beef
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin warns consumers today that 4,337 pounds of ground beef from neighboring Tennessee is being recalled due to suspected E.coli 0157:H7 contamination, a potentially deadly bacterium.
Chattanooga’s Southeastern Meats is voluntarily recalling ground beef produced on July 31 and August 1 intended for retail establishments and institutions in Georgia and Tennessee.
The U. S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service discovered the contamination. E.coli 0157:H7 poses serious danger to children, senior citizens and those with compromised immune systems. The products being recalled are:
• 10- pound boxes of “GROUND BEEF PATTIES, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC.”
• 5- and 10- pound bags of “GROUND BEEF, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC.”
• 10- pound bags of “TACO BEEF MIX, INGREDIENTS BEEF AND BEEF PARTS, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC.”
Each package bears the establishment number “Est. 7953” inside the USDA mark of inspection and the case code, “07 31 06” or “08 01 06.”
Irvin says the one sure way to guard against E.coli is to always cook ground beef to the safe temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperature kills harmful bacteria.
“This may be a good time to remind everyone that a reliable, accurate food thermometer is an important utensil in everyone’s kitchen,” Irvin says. “A thermometer is the only way to determine the accurate temperature of foods. Smell, color and looks are not an accurate gauge.”
Consumers who have the Southeastern Meats recalled products should return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.
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