Heads up! Time to check your refrigerator for tainted beef! Hannaford Supermarkets issued a voluntary recall yesterday of ground beef and is advising consumers to check for any ground beef purchased at its stores with a “sell-by” date of Dec. 17 or earlier.
The ground beef products with the date above may be contaminated with a Salmonella typhimurium strain (S. typhimurium). Ten people have reported to becoming ill, all of whom have indicated that they purchased ground beef between Oct. 12 and Nov. 20.
Here is more information from the official report from Hannaford Supermarkets.
The 85 percent lean variety of ground beef was most common to affected individuals. In an abundance of caution, Hannaford is voluntarily recalling all ground beef sold during this period and will accept returns for a full refund for any ground beef with sell-by dates of Dec. 17 or earlier.
All ground beef affected by this recall has been removed from stores. Hannaford is confident in the safety of its product offering. Customers should return or dispose of any ground beef with the Dec. 17 or earlier sell-by date.
Hannaford has fully cooperated with the USDA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) investigation.
To prevent Salmonella typhimurium and other foodborne illnesses, wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and cook ground beef to a safe internal temperature of at least 160° F.
Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. The most common manifestations of Salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 6 to 72 hours. The Salmonella typhimurium strain is resistant to several commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Customers who have questions are encouraged to call the Hannaford Customer Information Center, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – 800-213-9040, option 6.
Specific products in scope of this recall are any size package of the following:
73% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
75% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
80% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
85% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
90% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef
80% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef
85% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef
90% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef
85% Nature’s Place Ground Beef
90% Nature’s Place Ground Beef
there has to be a better system to protect what we eat and what they sell!
madamerkf at aol dot com