VERNON, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In a precautionary measure to
protect consumers based on new information just provided to the company,
United Food Group, LLC, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA), is voluntarily expanding its recall to include fresh
and frozen ground beef products produced at its plant from April 6 through
April 20, an estimated 5.3 million pounds that may have been contaminated
with the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.
Products included in the recall are fresh ground beef packaged in tubes
(otherwise known as chubs), fresh tray packs and frozen hamburger patties.
United Food Group emphasized today that the fresh ground beef the company
produced from April 6 through April 20 is no longer available in stores.
However, some of the ground beef affected by this recall could be stored in
consumers' freezers for future use.
"This additional product recall is based on new information just shared
with our company regarding the purchase date of fresh ground beef in
Arizona suspected of being contaminated," said Todd Waldman, United Food
Group's senior vice president.
"While all illnesses and findings have been limited to fresh ground
beef purchased in a very short window of time, we have been unable to
pinpoint the exact date and time of production because the code dating
information on the packaging was no longer available from the consumer,"
Waldman said. "As a precautionary measure, we have chosen to voluntarily
recall additional fresh and frozen ground beef products not previously
recalled during this period. Our company's paramount concern is for the
safety and health of consumers who have purchased our products, and that's
why we believe this expanded recall is necessary to ensure that no one else
is at risk."
The labels of the products subject to recall bear the establishment
number "EST. 1241" inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the
package. All stores were notified to remove all product included in the
recall. The recalled products were distributed in 11 states: Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,
Washington and Wyoming.
Details on specific products affected and code date information can be
found at http://www.unitedfoodgrouprecall.com. Consumers with recalled products
should either dispose of the product or return it to the point of purchase
for a refund. Consumers seeking additional information may also contact
United Food Group's 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 325-4164.
For more information about food safety, consumers can go to the Beef
Industry Safety Resource Web site: http://www.beefsafety.org or the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov.
United Food Group, LLC (UFG), located in Vernon, Calif., is among the
nation's leading further beef processors. All beef processed by UFG is
tested prior to entering the UFG facility to assure the highest level of
safety and quality. Once on site, UFG follows a rigorous food safety
protocol. More than 50 of its 450 employees are on its Food Safety and
Quality Assurance team. This group has an internal laboratory to help
safeguard its production
processes and conduct environmental testing. The commitment at UFG
demonstrates the company's dedication to food safety.
Contact:
Brian J. Levy
Senior Vice President
Sales & Marketing
United Food Group
(323) 588-5286
blevy@unitedfoodgroup.com
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