Kroger ground beef is recalled

USDA: E. coli sickened at least 35 in Michigan, Ohio

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS05/806260340

Kroger is recalling all ground beef products with sell-by dates between May 21 and June 8 because they may contain E. coli bacteria that is believed to have stricken at least 35 people in Michigan and Ohio, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.
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No fatalities have been reported, though 14 people were hospitalized -- including one Michigander treated for kidney failure and later released.

The recall involves an undetermined amount of ground beef, including all varieties and weights of products sold in Michigan stores as well as stores in counties in the Toledo and Columbus areas in Ohio.

Kroger and health officials said none of the infected product remains in stores.

"The products are no longer available," said Amanda Eamich, spokeswoman for the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. "We actually are encouraging people to look in their freezers."

Beef purchased between those dates and placed in freezers should be discarded or returned to the grocer for refunds, the agency said.

"If you have ground beef in the freezer that you are the least concerned about, please bring it back and we will refund your money," said Dale Hollandsworth, a spokesman for the Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati.

The Kroger ground beef has been linked genetically and through food case studies to recent E. coli 0157:H7 outbreaks in Michigan and Ohio, according to state health departments in the two states and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Michigan has reported 16 cases of related E. coli infections, and Ohio has reported 19.

At least 14 people have been hospitalized in the two states from the bacteria, the CDC said.

Hollandsworth said Kroger is confident current store supplies of ground beef are safe for sale because state health officials have tested supplies.

"The health department has done several testings and samplings to make sure that the ground beef is safe," Hollandsworth said of current product in the stores.

Hollandsworth said store employees placed notices of the contaminated products in stores Tuesday night and Wednesday, and that he did not think sales would be adversely affected.
Shoppers weigh in

Kroger shoppers were aware of the issue, but didn't seem overly concerned.

Ray Silme, 30, of Dearborn said he did not buy any meat Wednesday at the Kroger on Colson Street in Dearborn.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't.

"I would still buy it. I'd just cook the heck out of it," he said.

Gino Sabou, 32, of Northville, who shopped at the Colson Street Kroger, said the country needs to do more inspections to avoid a major outbreak.

"Obviously we need more inspectors and harsher rules," he said.

Kroger likely will not suffer any ill effects from the recall, agreed grocery industry analyst David Livingston, managing partner of DJL Research in Waukesha, Wis.

"Generally, the consumers forget about this pretty quick," said Livingston, noting recent recalls of tomatoes and spinach. "This has happened fast before. It will probably blow over."
Source of bad beef sought

Kroger is working in cooperation with state and federal investigators in trying to locate the source of the contaminated meat, the Michigan Department of Community Health said.

Hollandsworth said Kroger and health officials cannot yet identify the specific meat supplier or suppliers involved with the tainted ground beef. The grocery company uses several large suppliers.

"We're working with them by providing any and all records that we have relative to that," he said. "This is critical not just to Kroger, but to the food industry."

Health officials warn consumers to cook all ground beef to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any potential bacteria.

Eating rare and under-cooked meat can lead to bacterial infection of E. coli 0157:H7, which can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

In extreme cases, it can lead to kidney failure and even death.