FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2007

CONTACT

Lori Maldonado
 Public Information Specialist
        Office: 303-692-2028

Coloradans Urged to Discontinue Use and Discard Certain Ground Beef Products Distributed at Specific Wal-Mart Stores for Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination 

DENVER–The Consumer Protection Division with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Monday learned that Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., a Sherman, Texas, establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 40,440 pounds of ground beef products due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The recall was announced today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The recalled products affected bear the following labels:

• 1.5-pound trays of “Angus Steak Burger All Natural, 85/15, 6-1/4 pound patties”

• 1.33-pound trays of “Angus Steak Burger All Natural, 85/15, extra thick, 4- 1/3 pound patties”

• 2.25-pound trays of “73/27 All Natural Ground Beef, Carne Molida De Res”

• 5.5-pound trays of “73/27 All Natural Ground Beef, Carne Molida De Res”

Each label also bears the establishment number “Est. 244S” inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a “Use or Freeze By” date of “JUN 13 07.”

Consumers are advised to check their product for specific code information detailed above and discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Daniel Rifkin, Wholesale Food Program manager for the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Consumer Protection Division, said, “It is important that any consumer who purchased the ground beef with the specified recalled codes discard the product or return it for refund. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.”

The recalled product was distributed at the following Wal-Mart stores in Colorado:

• Alamosa, 3333 Clark St.   

• Canon City, 3105 Highway 50 East

• Cortez, 1835 E. Main St.

• Durango, 1155 So. Camino Del

• Pueblo, 4080 W. Northern Ave.

• Pueblo (North), 4200 Dillian Dr.

• Pueblo West, 78 North McCullock Blvd.

• Salida, 7865 W. Highway 50

• Trinidad, 2921 Toupal Dr.

The problem was discovered through trim sampling done by the company.

The ground beef products were produced on June 2, 2007, and were distributed to retail establishments in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

According to the company spokesman, all product distributed in Colorado was sold at Wal-Mart stores, which were directed on Wednesday, June 6, to remove all affected product from shelves.

For more information, the public may call Dan Rifkin with the Consumer Protection Division at 303-692-3620.

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