Ranchers Legacy Meat Recalls Ground Beef Due To Possible E.coli Contamination.

Minnesota Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Class I Recall  

082-2014

Health Risk: High  

Nov 22, 2014

En Español

Congressional and Public Affairs
Benjamin Bell
(202) 720-9113

Consumers and media with questions regarding the recall should call Jeremy Turnquist, Vice President of Operations for Ranchers Legacy Meat Co. at (651) 366-6575

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2014 – Ranchers Legacy Meat Co., of Vadnais Heights, Minn., is recalling 1,200 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Products subject to the recall are packaged in plastic cryovac sealed packets, and contain various weights of ground beef.  All products produced on Nov. 19, 2014 are subject to recall.

All of the following have a Package Code (use by) 12/10/2014 and bear the establishment number “Est. 40264” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Individual products include:

• Ranchers Legacy Ground Beef Patties 77/23
• Ranchers Legacy Ground Chuck Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice Ground Beef 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice WD Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy RD Beef Patties 80/20
• OTG Manufacturing Chuck/Brisket RD Patties
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend Oval Beef Patties
• Ranchers Legacy WD Chuck Blend Patties
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy Ground Chuck Blend
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend Bulk Pack NAT Patties
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend NAT Beef Patties

The product was discovered by FSIS inspection personnel during a routine inspection. Products testing positive on November 21, 2014 were held at the establishment.  The products being recalled were produced on the same day and equipment as the positive product.  Products were shipped to distributors for sales nationwide.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

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. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 ° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, http://1.usa.gov/1cDxcDQ.

 

PREPARING PRODUCT FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills. Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods. Color is NOT a reliable indicator that meat has been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria. The only way to be sure the meat or poultry is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature. - Fish: 145°F - Beef, pork, lamb chops/steaks/roasts: 145°F with a three minute rest time - ground meat: 160°F - poultry: 165°F - hot dogs: 160°F or steaming hot Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90º F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

 

N.Y. Gourmet Salads, Inc., Recalls various meat and poultry products

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-062-2010	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Catherine Cochran

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 - N.Y. Gourmet Salads, Inc., a Brooklyn, N.Y., establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of various meat and poultry products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 4.5-pound and 5-pound containers of "Lemon Grilled Chicken"
• 4.5-pound and 5-pound containers of "Meatballs"
• 4.5-pound and 5-pound containers of "Meatballs and Sauce"
• 4.5-pound and 5-pound containers of "Swedish Meatballs"
• 5-pound containers of "Sausage and Peppers"
• 4.5-pound and 5-pound containers of "Chicken Salad"
• 5-pound containers of "Grilled Chicken"
• 5-pound containers of "Grilled Chicken, Plain"
• 4.5-pound and 5-pound containers of "Breaded Chicken"
• 6-pound containers of "Stuffed Cabbage"
• 5-pound containers "Teriyaki Grilled Chicken"
• 5-pound containers "Chopped Chicken Liver"

The implicated products were produced between March 11, 2010, and Oct. 29, 2010, and were distributed to retail establishments in New York. Labeling information on these products is currently unknown, unless otherwise noted above. The products subject to this recall may or may not bear the N.Y. Gourmet Salads Inc. label with the establishment number "P-34440" or "Est. 34440" inside the USDA mark of inspection. A retail distribution list(s) is available on the FSIS' website at www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/
Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp. 

These products were the subject of a public health alertissued on Oct. 30, 2010. After a continued investigation by FSIS, the products are now being recalled by the firm. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician. 

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. 

Consumer and media questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company Vice President Lenny Spada at (718) 765-0082. 

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day atAskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

FSIS Warns On Canadian Siena Foods LTD Recall of ready-to-eat (RTE) Deli Meat Products Due To Listeria Monocytogenes contamination

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Adrian Gianforti

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to illnesses possibly associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) deli meat products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

FSIS was informed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that products subject to recall in Canada may have been exported to the United States. This public health alert was initiated after positive test results and an investigation by CFIA in response to a listeriosis illness outbreak. At this time, no confirmed linkage has been made between the products subject to recall and the reported illnesses. This is an ongoing investigation and as more information becomes available, FSIS may proceed with a recall action.

Implicated products produced by Siena Foods LTD, a Toronto, Ontario, establishment, include, but are not limited to, "Cacciatore Salami, Mild," "Coppa," "Prosciuttini," "Prosciuttini Hot," and "Prosciutto Cotto." The individually wrapped products have variable weights and a "Best Before" date through June 22, 2010, as well as the establishment number "Est. 212" inside the CFIA mark of inspection. However, the original brand and/or best before dates may not have been transferred at the deli counters to consumer packages. Persons who may have purchased any of these products and do not know original brand and code are advised to check with their retailer or supplier to determine if they have the affected product.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the CFIA at (800) 442-2342 / TTY (800) 465-7735. Media with questions about recall should contact CFIA Media Relations, at (613) 773-6600.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

North American Bison Co-Op, Recalls 25,000 pounds of whole beef heads.

Recall Release	CLASS II RECALL
FSIS-RC-023-2010	HEALTH RISK: LOW

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Catherine Cochran

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2010 - North American Bison Co-Op, a New Rockford, N.D., establishment is recalling approximately 25,000 pounds of whole beef heads containing tongues that may not have had the tonsils completely removed, which is not compliant with regulations that require the removal of tonsils from cattle of all ages, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Tonsils are considered a specified risk material (SRM) and must be removed from cattle of all ages in accordance with FSIS regulations. SRMs are tissues that are known to contain the infective agent in cattle infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), as well as materials that are closely associated with these potentially infective tissues. Therefore, FSIS prohibits SRMs from use as human food to minimize potential human exposure to the BSE agent.

The product subject to recall includes:

• Various weight cases of "Beef Heads KEEP FROZEN." Each case bears the establishment number "EST. 18859" inside the USDA mark of inspection and a case code number "16999." "North Dakota Natural Beef" is printed in the bottom left-hand corner of each label.

The recalled products were produced between June 25, 2009, and February 19, 2010. These products were shipped to distribution centers in Md., CO, and Minn. for further sale.

The problem was discovered during FSIS inspection activities at the establishment. 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.

Media with questions about the recall should contact Philip Wicke, Vice President of Operations, at (701) 356-7723. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Jeremy Anderson, Director of Customer Service, at (952) 545-2495.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Westland/Hallmark Meat Company Admits Slaughter of Sick Cows

Although I have written about this meat recall many a times, this is the first time I was able to give proper information on HSUS, The Humane Society of the United States.
The president of a slaughterhouse at the heart of the largest meat recall denied under oath on Wednesday, but then grudgingly admitted, that his company had apparently introduced sick cows into the hamburger supply.
He then tried to minimize the significance.
The executive, Steve Mendell of the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company of Chino, Calif., said, “I was shocked. I was horrified. I was sickened,” by video that showed employees kicking or using electric prods on “downer” cattle that were too sick to walk, jabbing one in the eye with a baton and using forklifts to push animals around.

The testimony of the slaughter plant executive who is at the center of a national animal abuse scandal raises even more questions and concerns about the humane treatment of animals destined for slaughter.

In Wednesday's testimony before the House Energy and Commerce investigative subcommittee, Hallmark/Westland executive Steve Mendell conceded that downed cows—those who are too sick or injured to walk—went into the food supply after the committee chairman played videotape evidence from an undercover investigation by The Humane Society of the United States showing a "downer" cow entering the plant's kill box — which is the final step before slaughter.

Mendell previously stated unequivocally that he was unaware of rampant abuse of cattle at his facility, which slaughtered "spent" dairy cows.

"These weak and infirm downer cows were tormented by slaughter plant workers," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "Mr. Mendell said he was unaware of the daily abuses that happened on the grounds of the single slaughter plant he owned. Either he is willfully misrepresenting his knowledge, or he was an incompetent manager of the plant he owned."

Mendell testified that his employees received "intense" training in the humane handling of animals. The HSUS investigator, however, never received the training referenced in Mendell's testimony.

According to the investigator, the tools used by the plant to mislead inspectors and auditors included posting signs at the unloading dock that electric prods were not allowed, even though prods were repeatedly used at the facility; and instructing employees not to use electric prods while auditors were present at the facility, but not otherwise limiting their use at other times.

At issue are cows unable to stand by themselves. Generally, these downer animals are not permitted to be slaughtered for food because they may carry a higher risk of disease, including infection with E. coli, Salmonella and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The six-week undercover investigation by The HSUS showed plant employees brutalizing such suffering animals with electric prods, the blades of forklifts, and even the application of high-pressure water into their mouths and nostrils – all to get them to stand long enough to be inspected for slaughter or to walk up the kill chute.

It is important to note that when news of the HSUS investigation first broke, Mendell denied even the basic facts of the mistreatment of cattle at his plant. He was quoted in The Washington Post on January 30 as saying, "That's impossible" that electric prods were used. As for water forced into the nostrils of downer cows, he was quoted as saying, "That's absolutely not true."

"This case is a wake-up call to the slaughter industry in America," said Pacelle. "The Hallmark/Westland plant had the full complement of USDA inspectors, and the president of the company says that the company provided intense training to its animal handling staff and had a series of third-party audits. If his claims are true, then the USDA oversight system, the third party audits, and the company's so-called training programs did nothing to halt abject cruelty to animals. We must wonder how far and wide this conduct can be found throughout the industry."

Information from HSUS; The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.

Also from NYT Business.

tag: HSUS, meat recall, Westland/Hallmark Meat Company, largest meat recall

Westland/Hallmark Meat Company president defends himself in congressional testimony

After the largest meat recall in the history, head of the Westland/Hallmark says his company did not do wrong. Yeah, tell that to the cows and the school children and anyone else who received this meat. Congressional panel called for this person for testimony.

Associated Press - March 12, 2008 8:43 AM ET

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The head of a slaughterhouse at the center of the largest beef recall in U.S. history says his company is ruined despite no evidence of contamination.

Westland/Hallmark Meat Company President Steve Mendell defends himself strongly in testimony being presented to a congressional panel. He says no unsafe beef was processed at his California plant.

It's his first time speaking out since undercover video of apparent abuses of crippled cattle at his plant led to its shutdown and the recall of 143 million pounds of beef.

Mendell contends that the cows shown unable to walk in the Humane Society of the United States video were designated to be euthanized. He says they were not being sent to slaughter in violation of federal rules barring most "downer" cows from the food supply.

Mendell testifies under subpoena today.

tag: USDA recall, food recall, Beef Recall, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing recall, animal-abuse, FSIS, adulterated beef, Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle