Where's the Beef?

Have you purchased any beef lately? It may be part of a large recall.

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. recalled more than 40,000 pounds of ground beef Friday after samples tested at a Sherman, Texas, plant showed signs of E. coli contamination in meat shipped to Wal-Mart stores in 12 states.

No illnesses had been reported. Springdale-based Tyson Foods Inc. said the recall is not related to contaminated ground beef distributed by California-based United Food Group LLC.

The recalled products were sent to Wal-Mart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, Tyson said.

Wal-Mart has removed the products from its meat cases and is destroying the recalled ground beef still in its possession, officials said.

Tyson recalled 40,440 pounds of ground beef, all of which had sell-by dates of June 13. The ground beef was sold in prepackaged trays that were placed directly into the meat case.

The recalled products include:

• 1½-pound trays of Angus steak burger all natural, 85/15, 6¼-pound patties

• 1.33-pound trays of Angus steak burger all natural, 85/15, extra thick, 4 1/3-pound patties

• 2¼-pound trays of 73/27 all-natural ground beef

• 5½-pound trays of 73/27 all-natural ground beef

"Only one retail customer received the ground beef. This customer, Wal-Mart, Inc., has been contacted, has removed the product from sale and is destroying all of the recalled ground beef still in its possession at its distribution centers and stores. The affected product was distributed to Wal-Mart stores in 12 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas."

Customers with questions may call Tyson at 1-800-233-6332 or Wal-Mart at 1-800-WalMart (1-800-925-6278).