Town and Country Foods is recalling ground and tenderized beef products for possible E. coli 0157:H7 contamination. The problem was discovered in lab testing at the company. The company didn’t hold the product until the test results were complete, which prompted the recall.
Product details:
- 5- and 10-pound boxes of 2-, 2.6-, 3-, and 4-ounce “Town & Country Foods XL Hamburg Patties
- 5- and 10-pound boxes of 2-, 2.6-, 3-, and 4-ounce “Town & Country Foods Hamburg Patties
- 10-pound box with different weight bags of “Town & Country Beef for Stewing”
- 6-, 8-, and 10-ounce “Town & Country Beef Sirloin Filets”
- 5- and 10-pound boxes with differnet weight bags of “Town and Country Hamburg”
- 5- and 10-pound boxes with different weight bags of “Town and Country XL Hamburg”
- Each case has the establishment number “EST. 9710” inside the USDA mark of inspection
- The products may have these packaging codes:
- 10952
- 10962
- 10972
- 11002
- 11012
- Products produced between April 4, 2012 and April 10, 2012
- Shipped to retail and wholesale establishments in Maine
Any meat product containing E. coli 0157:H7 is considered adulterated and is illegal to sell. This particular strain of bacteria is very dangerous and can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome that can lead to kidney failure and death.
This recall raises the issue of labeling mechanically tenderized beef. E. coli 0157:H7, which can caused hemolytic uremic syndrome, was found on the product. And the tenderizing process most likely forced some of that bacteria into the center of the meat. If someone cooks the Sirloin Filets, for instance, to rare, any bacteria in the center of the meat would not be destroyed and could make someone sick.
The entire retail distribution list has just been issued by the FSIS. All of the stores are in Maine.
For questions, call Karen Brackett of Town & Country Foods at 1-207-946-5489.
