George Smith, Epidemiologist at (501) 661-2225
Arkansas Department of Health

Little Rock — The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has been notified today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service that the Kroger Store #624 has recalled approximately 240 pounds of fresh ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The products being recalled are foam trays of varying weights containing:

"Kroger BEEF GROUND, GROUND BEEF AP2 73% LEAN,"
"Kroger BEEF GROUND, GROUND ROUND 85% LEAN," and
"Kroger BEEF GROUND, GROUND CHUCK 80% LEAN AP2."
Each package bears a sell-by date of "Sell By 08/15/02."

The ground beef was produced on August 14 and distributed at this specific retail store in Russellville, AR.

"Because of the potential for food borne illness, I urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product to return it to the place of purchase," said William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "USDA is informing the public so consumers will know to check their refrigerators or freezers."

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.

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 food borne illness.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the Kroger Consumer Product Line at (800) 632-6900. Media with questions may contact Whitney Atkins, associate advertising manager, Kroger, at (901) 765-4315.

Whether or not ground beef is involved in a recall, ADH advises consumers to practice the following safety measures when handling and preparing ground beef for consumption:

• Cook all meat, especially ground beef, thoroughly. 
• Make certain that cooked ground beef is gray or brown (not pink) throughout.

• Cook ground beef to 160 degrees F. internally.  Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

• If you are served an undercooked hamburger in a restaurant, send it back for further cooking.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw hamburger.
• Clean all utensils and surfaces thoroughly after contact with raw meat.

Other safety precautions that should be taken to prevent an infection with E.coli are:

• Wash hands thoroughly using warm water and soap.  Wash hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper and before preparing or eating food.
• Teach children good hygienic habits.
• Avoid consuming unpasteurized apple juices or apple cider.
• Drink municipal water that has been treated with adequate levels of chlorine or other effective disinfectants.

-###-