Creekstone Farms Recalls Ground Beef

Creekstone Farms Recalls Ground Beef in 10 States Over E.Coli Fears


Linda Doell
 
Creekstone Farms Premium Beef recalled 14,158 pounds of ground beef because it may be tainted with the e. coli bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said.


So far, there have been no reports of illnesses from people eating the beef, which was shipped in bulk packages to processing companies in Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington. The USDA said the bulk meat may have been repacked into smaller consumer-sized packages and sold under different retail brand names.

Creekstone Farms said it supplies meat to a number of groceries and restaurants nationwide as well as in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

The USDA released a partial list of retailers that received the recalled beef including some Price Cutter, Price Cutter Plus, Country Mart and Ramey supermarkets in Missouri. Information on stores in other states wasn't yet available.

E. coli can cause a potentially life-threatening infection in young children, seniors or those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea and dehydration.

The possible contamination was discovered when lab tests showed positive for e. coli, the USDA said.

In January, organic beef sold at some Harris Teeter, Costco and Price Chopper stores also was recalled for possible e.coli contamination.

Included in the Creekstone Farms recall are 40-pound cases of:

40-pound cases of Beef Fine Grind 81/19 Natural in 10-pound chubs with a product code of 80185

40-pound cases of Beef Chuck Fine Grind 81/19 Natural in 10-pound chubs with a product code of 80285

40-pound cases of Beef Sirloin Fine Grind 91/9 Natural in 10-pound chubs with a product code of 80495

40-pound cases of Beef Fine Grind 90/10 Natural in 5-pound chubs with a product code of 85165

60-pound cases of Beef Fine Ground 93/7 in 10-pound packages with the product code 86191.

The USDA said each case has the establishment number "EST 27" in the USDA inspection mark. The beef was produced on Feb. 22.

The USDA urged consumers to make sure they thoroughly cook their beef to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit so harmful bacteria is killed. Consumers with questions can call Creekstone Farms marketing vice president Jim Rogers at (620) 741-3352.

Creekstone Farms has built a reputation selling Black Angus beef to upscale and trendy restaurants including Balthazar and Porterhouse New York in New York City, according to the New York Times. The Shake Shack burger chain also uses Creekstone Farms beef.