Ground Beef Recalled By Oregon Firm for Possible E.coli Contamination
SP Provisions, of Portland Oregon, is recalling 39,973 pounds of ground beef products that may have been contaminated with E.coli O157:H7, following routine microbiological sampling by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The ground beef products were produced between April 8, 2009 and May 28, 2009 and were distributed to retail establishments, hotels, restaurants and institutions throughout Washington and Oregon. To date there have been no reported illnesses associated with consumption of the products.
Resources:
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/recall_027_2009_release/index.asp
E.Coli Infections Trigger Recall of Ground Beef
The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a nationwide recall of over 95,000 pounds of ground beef following an epidemiological investigation into several E.coli illnesses conducted by the Ohio Department of Health.
On May 13, 2009 the FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E.coli O157:H7 infections, with reported Illnesses in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley Illinois company, recalled the ground beef after learning it might be contaminated with E.coli bacteria.
The recalled ground beef products were produced on March 10, 2009 and were distributed to various consignees nationwide.
Resources:
www.meatingplace.com/MembersOnly/webNews/details.aspx
www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/05/21/Nationwide-ground-beef-recall-is-issued/
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_022_2009_Release/index.asp
Ground Beef Recalled By Arkansas Retailer
Bob’s Food City, of Hot Springs Arkansas, is recalling approximately 375 pounds of ground beef for the possible contamination of E.coli O157:H7.
The contamination was discovered through routine testing procedures by the Food Safety and Inspection Agency. The ground beef products were produced on May 7, 2009 and sold to customers of the Bob’s Food City retail store in Hot Springs.
To date the FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the product.
Sources:
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_R01_2009_Release/index.asp
Ground Beef Recalled By New York Firm
Alex & George Wholesale Inc., of Rochester New York, are recalling over 4500lbs of ground beef for possible contamination of E.coli O157:H7.
The problem was discovered through routine USDA testing through the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The products were produced on April 29, 2009 and distributed to restaurants in western New York State.
To date the FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the product.
Sources:
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_019_2009_Release/index.asp
Ground Beef Recalled For E.coli
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada Safeway are warning not to consume certain Safeway lean ground beef because of the possible contamination with E.coli O157:H7 bacteria.
The manufacturer, Vantage Foods of Winnipeg Manitoba, has voluntarily recalled the affected product sold in Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. To date no illnesses have been reported from consumption.
Obama focuses on food safety, picks FDA new chief
The nation's food safety system is a "hazard to public health" and overdue for an overhaul, President Barack Obama said Saturday as he filled the top job at the Food and Drug Administration.
Obama used his weekly radio and video address to announce the nomination of former New York City Health Commissioner Margaret Hamburg as agency commissioner and the selection of Baltimore's health commissioner, Joshua Sharfstein as her deputy. Consumer groups applauded the picks.
The president also is creating a special advisory group to coordinate food safety laws and recommend how to update them. Many of these laws have not changed since they were written early in the last century, he said.
Obama said too many agencies are responsible for food safety, making it difficult to share information and stop problems from falling through the cracks.
The FDA does not have enough money or workers to conduct annual inspections at more than a fraction of the 150,000 food processing plants and warehouses in the country, Obama said.
"That is a hazard to public health. It is unacceptable. And it will change under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Hamburg," he pledged.
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PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA EXPANDS NATIONWIDE RECALL
Peanut Corporation of America's (PCA) current recall of peanut butter and peanut paste that sickened over 500 people and caused 7 deaths in the U.S.A. has recently announced that they will expand their recall to include all their peanuts (dry and oil roasted), granulated peanuts, peanut meal, and their original recall of peanut butter and peanut paste.
Although PCA is not aware of any complaints or reports of illness involving the additional peanuts and peanut products, they issued the additional voluntarily recall out of an abundance of caution. Stewart Parnell, President of Peanut Corporation of America is quoted as saying "we are working alongside state and federal food safety experts in every way we can to help them protect consumers, both now and in the future."
PCA continues to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they continue their investigation into the nationwide outbreak of Salmonella.
Reference:
http://fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/peanutcorp401_09.html