The Arizona Department of Health Services is notifying the public about the expansion of a USDA ground beef recall because of concerns that repackaged meat by grocery stores may contain E. coli 0157:H7, and not be labeled with the Establishment Code 1241. Additionally this recall includes earlier production dates beginning 4/6/07 and ending 4/20/07.

The Department is concerned that the United Food Group recall, which includes several companies including Moran’s Meat Company and Miller Meat Company, does not mention that these brands are re-packaged and sold as local grocery store brands.

Consumers may not be aware of the actual brand they have purchased and stored in their freezers.

The following Arizona grocery stores receive ground beef from United Food Group and may repackage it under their store brand name.

Albertson’s
Basha’s
Fry’s
‘R’ Ranch Markets
Safeway
Sam’s Club
Save-a-lot
Smart and Final
Smith’s
Trader Joe’s

To date, there are six reported human cases of E. coli 0157 in Arizona linked to this outbreak; three in Maricopa, two in Yavapai, and one in Navajo Counties. These individuals became ill between May 2 and May 12, 2007. Their ages range from 6 – 63 years of age. Four cases could be contacted by public health, three required hospitalization and have recovered. No deaths have been reported due to this outbreak.

Consumers should be aware that any ground beef needs to be cooked thoroughly so there is no pink or red. Specifically the meat must be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. If you are concerned about your meat, please contact your grocery store to determine if its brand of meat is part of this recall.

For questions about the ground beef recall in Arizona, please call the Arizona Department of Health Services at 602-364-3122, 602-364-3118, or 602-364-4562.

If you are ill, please see your doctor or health care provider.

For more information, please visit the following link:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Expanded_Recall_025_Release_060907/index.asp