Commissary burgers recalled over E. coli worry
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 26, 2007 22:27:02 EDT

Commissary officials are warning customers that two types of frozen ground beef hamburgers sold at military grocery stores are among those that have been recalled because of possible E. coli contamination.

Food safety officials at the Defense Commissary Agency said the commissary carries two products made by the Topps Meat Company, LLC., which is voluntarily recalling nearly 332,000 pounds of frozen ground beef, in 21 different products, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The two commissary products are:

* “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers,” 12 quarter pounders, 3-pound boxes (UPC: 074701-00025). Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or “JUL 23 08.”

* “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers,” 20 quarter pounders, 5-pound boxes (UPC: 074701-00110). Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or “JUL 23 08.”

E. coli 0157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Young children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to food borne illness.

Commissary officials warn customers who have these products at home to stop using them and return the unused product with the label to the store where they purchased it for a full refund.

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “Est. 9748” inside the USDA mark of inspection. A complete list of the recalled products sold at civilian stores is available at the Department of Agriculture’s Web site.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Even...ease/index.asp

Ellie