ATLANTA, Aug. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) family of stores in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee are asking customers to check their refrigerators and freezers for certain items containing ground beef with "sell by" dates of July 29 through August 12. A complete list of the items included in this recall is below. This ground beef is part of a recall announced by National Beef becausethe product may contain E. Coli O157:H7. Customers should return the items to stores for a full refund or a replacement.
The items included in the recall are:
- Kroger 5 lb. Pkg. Flavorseal Ground Chuck (UPC: 1111097028 (only date included for this product is "Freeze By 8-12-2011)
- Kroger Beef Chuck Ground 80-85% (UPC 22251500000, 22251510000, 22251520000, 22251530000, 22251550000, 22251560000, 22251570000, 22251580000)
- Ground Beef Patties - Regular & Family Pack (UPCs: 22250400000, 22250410000, 22250420000, 22250430000, 22251600000, 22251610000, 22251620000, 22251630000)
- Ground Beef Seasoned Patties - Regular & Family Pack (UPCs: 29116750000, 29116760000, 29116770000, 29116780000, 29116850000, 29116860000, 29116870000, 29116880000)
- In Store Made Meatballs - packaged and service case (UPCs: 29119600000, 29119610000, 29119620000, 29119630000, 29119640000)
- In Store Made Meatloaf - packaged and service case (UPCs: 29109100000, 29109110000, 29109120000, 29109130000, 29109140000)
Customers can visit www.kroger.com/recall for the list of affected products.
What Kroger is Doing
Kroger has removed affected items from store shelves and initiated its customer recall notification system. Customers who may have purchased the affected products will receive register receipt messages and/or automated phone calls. Kroger is also placing signs in stores in meat departments.
What Customers Should Do
Kroger is asking customers to carefully check their refrigearators and freezers for these recalled ground beef products becausethey may contain E. Coli O157:H7. Any opened or unopened products included in this recall should not be consumed and should be returned to their local Kroger store for a full refund.
Consumers are reminded that proper handling, storage and cooking of ground beef offers the best protection against food-borne illness. According to the USDA, when ground beef is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of no less than 160 degrees, any harmful bacteria are destroyed and the ground beef is safe to consume.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Customers with additional questions can contact 1-800-KROGERS.
SOURCE The Kroger Co.
