Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Andrea McNally

WASHINGTON, August 23, 2003—J&B Meats Corporation, a Coal Valley, Ill., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 76,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall each bear the date code "5630053" and establishment code "EST. 5712" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The products subject to recall are:

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN TENDER & JUICY BEEF PATTIES" bearing the code "11344."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "JB0104."

• 24.5-lb. cases of "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "8218."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1140."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8020."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8020EC."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER" bearing the code "J1002."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER" bearing the code "J1003."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER" bearing the code "J1004."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN J-BURGER SEASONED BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11372TF."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN J-BURGER SEASONED BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11373TF."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN J-BURGER SEASONED BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11374TF."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF PATTIE WHOPPER" bearing the code "11364AW."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1136EC."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIES WHOPPER" bearing the code "JB0704W."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11323."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN 100% PURE BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11393."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN TENDER & JUICY BEEF PATTIES" bearing the code "11343."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED HEART OF AMERICA CHUCK PATTIE GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIE" bearing the code "4002HA."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8515."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1142."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1143."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1144."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1144R."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8020ECF."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF PATTIE MIX" bearing the code "8020PF."

• 40-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF COARSE GRIND" bearing the code "291101."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11384."

The products were produced on May 30 and distributed to wholesale establishments nationwide.

An E. coli O157:H7 illness in Wisconsin triggered an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Health. Sampling of a J&B Meats Corporation ground beef product was performed by the Wisconsin Department of Health and the positive E. coli O157:H7 results were reported to FSIS on Aug. 22. As a result, J&B Meats Corporation initiated a voluntary product recall. At present, there is no definitive link implicating the recalled products to any illnesses. However, FSIS is continuing its investigation. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Jeff Jobe, company president, at (309) 799-7341.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) MPHotline. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. And recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov

Although the product being recalled should be returned to the place of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should heed the following advice.

Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 ºF. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 ºF throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.

The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate digital instant-read thermometer.

Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 ºF has been reached is a significant risk factor for foodborne illness.

Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

Class I This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.

Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.