19 Million Pounds Of Beef Recalled

GREELEY, Colo. -- ConAgra Beef Co., of Greeley, Colo., is voluntarily recalling approximately 19 million pounds of beef trim and fresh and frozen ground beef products sold nationally that may be contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Friday.

The recall is an expansion of the June 30 voluntary recall of 354,200 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products, and is being called the second-largest ever.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said federal health officials are looking for more E. coli cases that may be linked to the expanded beef recall.

"This action is being taken as a cautionary measure to ensure the protection of public health," Veneman said. "Public health is our No. 1 one priority and it is our No. 1 concern."

The Agriculture Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 16 people have been diagnosed with E. Coli from the tainted meat in Colorado. Six other ill people in California.

At a news conference in Washington, Veneman said testing has linked illnesses in several states with beef from ConAgra Beef Co.

She says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has put together a team of experts to do further testing.

The beef recall has been expanded to almost 19 million pounds. A smaller recall was announced last month after a positive E. coli test at a Colorado packing house.

Veneman says further testing at the plant is going on, but no more positive results have turned up.

The beef in question was produced from April 12 to July 11, but officials say they have no way of knowing for sure how much of it is still in consumers' hands. They acknowledge it's tough for consumers to tell if they have any of the potentially contaminated beef.

The first ConAgra beef recall involved cases shipped to Colorado, Alabama, Virginia, Maryland, New Mexico, Kansas, Michigan, Texas, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, New York, California, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, New Jersey, Minnesota, Arizona and Idaho. The Agriculture Department has not released a list of states involved in the updated recall. Americans ate 69.5 pounds of beef per person in 2000, reflecting steady but modest increases since 1993, when consumption fell to 65.1 pounds per person, officials said.

Friday's voluntary action was taken following a scientific and technical review of plant practices and company records by FSIS. The investigation indicated that product destined to become ground beef that was produced at the Greeley plant had a heightened possibility of containing E. coli. The CDC has documented multiple cases of illness connected to ConAgra beef that was the subject of the June 30 recall.

"Our highest priority is protecting the public's health and safety," said William Hudnall, acting administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service. "Today's precautionary action is an additional measure to ensure this priority is carried out."

Because of the potential of foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli, consumers who have purchased the suspect product are encouraged not to consume it and return it to the place of purchase or throw it out.

Hudnall said consumers can be confident that proper cooking kills harmful bacteria. Whether consumers find recalled product in their homes, following safe handling tips and cooking ground beef products to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit will ensure that any harmful bacteria present will be eliminated.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and people with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Anyone who suspects they may have an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall may contact Jim Herlihy, vice president of communications and consumer affairs, ConAgra Beef Co., at (888) 742-0467.

Consumers seeking general information about this recall can also call (866) 849-7438, a special number established by FSIS.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (800) 535-4555. The hot line is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.