MASSIVE RECALL ON PRIMAL, SUBPRIMAL AND BOXED BEEF
On Friday August 8, 2008 Nebraska Beef Ltd. announced a recall of approximately 1.2 million pounds of Primal cuts, Subprimal cuts and boxed beef that could be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. What makes this recall more concerning is that these Primal and Subprimal cuts have been shipped to various establishments for further processing and will not likely bear the original packing code of when it was received.
The contamination was discovered by a joint investigation with state departments of health and agriculture, centres for Disease Control and Prevention and FSIS. Currently 31 cases in 12 states and Canada have been identified.
REFERENCE: www.meatingplace.com/membersonly/webnews/details.aspx?item=9350
WHOLE FOODS MARKET VOLUNTARILY RECALLS OVER 1 MILLION POUNDS OF GROUND BEEF
On August 8, 2008 Whole foods market announced a multi-state recall of fresh ground beef sold between June 2 and August 6, 2008 that has affected over 1 Million pounds of product due to concerns of contamination of E. coli 0157:H7. This recall was issued by the company after learning that some of the beef in question came from Coleman Natural Beef who’s Nebraska Beef processing plant was previously subject to a nationwide recall for E. coli 0157:H7.
Libba Letton, a spokeswoman for Whole Foods said "assurances from Coleman Natural Beef that no product delivered to Whole Foods Market was linked to the (previous) recall" and that an internal investigation has been started by the company. At this time Libba stressed that all tests on whole foods beef recalled have not detected any E. coli infection.
REFERENCE:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080811/ts_afp/ushealthfoodsafetyretail
www.mercurynews.com/businessheadlines/ci_10163827
CFIA Food recall department
RECALL ISSUED AFTER BOY SCOUTS SICKENED FROM E.COLI
A recall was issued for approximately 153,630 pounds of Ground Beef after the E. coli infection was found in 1 adult and 21 children with 8 hospitalizations after they attended a Boy Scout Camp in Goshen, Virginia.
The infection was found through a joint epidemiological investigation by FSIS and the Department of Health. While the USDA does not know how the meat became infected they did say that they would be following up with S&S Foods regarding the source of the beef and the company’s food safety measures.
REFERENCE:
www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-beef8-2008aug08,0,3378915.story
www.meatingplace.com/MembersOnly/webNews/details.aspx?item=9327
LISTERIA RECALL ISSUED FOR CHICKEN
The USDA has announced a 285 pound recall of ready-to-eat chicken products that may be infected with Listeria Monocytogenes. FSIS has not received any reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these chicken products as of yet.
The FSIS discovered the problem through microbiological sampling and are now working with World Class Canapés Inc. to locate the source of the infection.
Reference: www.meatingplace.com/membersonly/webnews/details.aspx?item=9314
FRESH CILANTRO RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA
A voluntary recall by a California company that distributes fresh cilantro in Western Canada and the U.S has been issued after the Michigan Department of Agriculture discovered it in a routine inspection.
Currently there has been no illness reported from the strain discovered, but officials have insisted it is not the same as the St. Paul strain that is currently responsible for over 1300 people getting sick since April.
Currently 3 Provinces and 23 States have been affected by the recall and in Canada the CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall issued.
Reference: www.medbroadcast.com
Kroger Expands Recall
In response to the USDA's identification of Nebraska Beef as the supplier of Beef related to the E.coli outbreaks throughout Michigan and Ohio, Kroger Co. has expanded its recall of products.
The recall now includes Private Section Natural ground beef and ground beef products in Styrofoam tray packages, wrapped in clear cellophane or purchased from an in-store service counter from various Kroger establishments.
As a precaution, Kroger has also removed all ground beef supplied by Nebraska Beef during the dates specified by the USDA.
Nebraska Beef orders recall in connection with Kroger
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Nebraska Beef Ltd has recalled over 500 thousand pounds of ground beef components that may have been contaminated with E.coli O157:H7.
Nebraska Beef Ltd. Has been identified as a common supplier to Kroger stores in addition to two federally inspected establishments where the FSIS obtained a positive ground beef sample that was matched to the outbreak of E.coli throughout Michigan and Ohio.