December 21, 2011

An estimate of about 40,948 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 is being recalled by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. as announced by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS.

The products are subject to recall are: 10-pound chubs of "Chuck Fine Ground Beef 80/20," packed in cases containing eight chubs. The products subject to recall have a "best before or freeze by" date of "11/13/11" and "EST. 245C" on the box label. The products were shipped to institutions and distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E. coli O157:H7. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.