June 10, 2008

US firm recalls ground beef on E. coli concerns

Dutch's Meat Inc. in Trenton, N.J., is recalling approximately 13,275 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

Subject to recall are:

• 10-pound plastic bags of "DUTCH'S MEATS, INC., GROUND BEEF"
   
• 10-pound vacuum-packed plastic bags of "DUTCH'S MEATS, INC., GROUND BEEF"
   
• 10-pound boxes of "DUTCH'S MEATS, INC., HAMBURGER PATTIES"

The ground beef products bear the establishment number "EST. 5424" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The recalled products were packaged from May 27 through June 6, 2008. This packaging date is stamped on the bag label or box.

The products were distributed to restaurants and foodservice institutions in the Trenton, N.J., area and were not available in retail locations.

FSIS routine microbiological sampling uncovered the problem. No reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products has been reported so far.