WASHINGTON, May 15, 2010 – Montclair Meat Co., Inc., a Montclair, Calif., establishment is recalling approximately 53,000 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The products subject to recall include:
— Various pound packages of “MONTCLAIR MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF”
— Various pound packages of “MONTCLAIR MEAT CO. ALL BEEF PATTIES”
Each package bears establishment number “Est. 6116” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These ground beef products were produced between the dates of May 3, 2010 through May 13, 2010, and were shipped to retailers and federal establishments for further processing in the Los Angeles, Calif., metropolitan area.
The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
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. If available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.
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.
Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company’s owner, Doug White, at (909) 985-9616.
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 l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
To learn how to safely cook ground beef, visit the USDA’s site here.