Topps Meat Recall Expanded Due to E-Coli Contamination

If you're thinking about having a nice juicy burger for dinner make sure you check brands and dates before you cook. Topps Meat has expanded its recall of frozen hamburger patties to 21.7 million pounds due to possible E-Coli 0157:H7 contamination. Topps initial recall earlier in the week caused all Food & Stop and Giant Foods to recall all of their Topps Meat ground beef patties from their stores. The recall was issued in a PRNewswire press release.

Symptoms of E-Coli 0157:H7 exposure can include stomach cramps along with diarrhea and possible bloody diarrhea. Most healthy adults with healthy immune systems are capable of recovery within a week. Some people though can develop a life threatening form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS affects mostly those who are very young, very old or those with damaged immune systems. Anyone with any of the symptoms listed above who may have consumed the contaminated product, are advised to seek immediate medical attention.

Consumers are advised to eat ground beef that has been thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Eating a pink or red beef patty without first verifying a safe internal temperature is a significant risk factor in food borne illnesses.

Customers who may still have any type of Topps Meat frozen ground beef patties in their freezer despite UPC codes, are advised to either return it to the store where the item was purchased for a full refund or to promptly dispose of it.

The recall has been expanded due to information obtained when products that were tested by the New York Health Dept. came back positive for the deadly disease. Tests preceded the original September 25 recall. There are currently 25 illnesses reported throughout numerous states that are being investigated by the N.Y. Health Department assisted by the CDC. States involved that may also be in danger from the contaminated meats are Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company applies a 1 year sell -by date to all their frozen products. Each package bears the establishment # 9748 inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a sell by date between September 25, 2007 and September 25, 2008.

Stop and Shop Supermarkets/Giant Foods is based in Quincy, Massachusetts where they employee more then 82,000 people. They have 575 stores throughout Mass., Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and District of Columbia. Customers who may have any questions are advised to call Topps Meat at 1-908-351-0500 or Stop & Shop Markets at customer service at 1-800-767-7772. You may also contact customer service at 1-888-4MY-GIANT between the hours of 9-5 Monday through Friday. You may find out more about food borne illnesses or food contamination and recalls at www.fda.gov.

Sources used in this article are as follows: www.fda.gov
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