1 Million Pounds Of Ground Beef Being Recalled

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Corning, NY - The fresh ground beef products with the 'use by or freeze by' dates of October 10 to October 29 are as follows:

> Lean Fresh Ground Beef: 80%, 90% and 95% [lean], as well as product in the service meat case
> Lean Fresh Ground Beef Patties, 80% and 90% [lean] in the 4-pack only
> Food You Can Feel Good About Fresh Ground Beef, 85% and 91% [lean] sold in the service meat case
> Items made Ready-to-Cook with Fresh Ground Beef that's been packaged and found in the meat case: "Ready-to-Cook Burgers (bacon and cheddar, blue cheese, seasoned, roasted pepper and feta) Ready-to-Cook Meatloaf (regular and bacon cheddar) Ready-to-Cook Meatballs Stuffed Peppers."

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., notified Wegmans once that they knew that there was a contamination issue. During a routine sampling, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service discovered the problem.

The release stated that "Wegmans Food You Feel Good About packaged fresh ground beef and irradiated fresh ground beef are not part of this recall."

No illnesses have been reported from consuming this meat. However, Wegmans did say this,

"Wegmans customers who purchased, but have not yet consumed, these products should return them to Wegmans for a full refund. Consumers who have consumed the product and feel they are experiencing symptoms should contact their physician. The onset of symptoms is generally within three to eight days of consumption, and symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, severe abdominal pain, and in severe cases, bloody diarrhea."

The agribusiness giant produced this beef between October 8 and October 11, in their plant in Wyalusing, PA. It was then distributed to various retailers across the US, which include: Giant, ShopRite, Stop and Shop, Wegmans and Weis Food Stores. The states that are listed in the recall are: "Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia."

Cargill recalled more than 840,000 pounds of ground beef patties on October 6, that had been distributed to Sam's Club stores across the US, after some four children in Minnesota and four adults in Wisconsin consumed the ground beef product and became ill with the E. coli illness. This is the same strain that was found in the sampling. As well, "in late September, Topps recalled 21.7 million pounds of its patties - the second-largest U.S. beef recall - and then closed its business."


The million dollar question we all want to ask: How is it getting into the meat? Here's how...

"E. coli is harbored in the intestines of cattle. Improper butchering and processing can cause the E. coli to get onto meat. Thorough cooking, to at least 160 degrees internal temperature, can destroy the bacteria."

This potentially deadly bacteria is named E. coli O157:H7. It causes dehydration and bloody stool. Those most bothered by this bacterium are those who have compromised immune systems, as well as children and seniors.

For more information:

Cargill Meat Solutions: http://www.cargillmeatsolutions.com

Cargill Inc.: http://www.cargill.com

Agriculture Department's Food and Safety Inspection Service: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/

www.wegmans.com or contact the Wegmans consumer affairs department at (800) WEG-MANS, ext. 4760, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.