INTERSTATE MEAT DISTRIBUTORS, INC., RECALLS GROUND BEEF AND PORK PRODUCTS DUE TO POSSIBLE E. COLI O157:H7 CONTAMINATION
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2018 – Interstate Meat Distributors, Inc., a Clackamas, Ore. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,806 pounds of ground beef and pork products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The raw ground beef and pork items were produced and packaged on February 10, 2018 and February 12, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “965” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Oregon, Utah, and Washington state.
The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) that the firm’s sample of beef trim was positive for E. coli O157:H7 based on results by their third party lab. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground meat that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that ground meat is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, http://1.usa.gov/1cDxcDQ.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Interstate Meat Distributors, Inc., at (503) 656-0633.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.
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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at FSIS’ website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
Follow FSIS on Twitter at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at: twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es.
USDA RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS
Class I This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
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Utah dog found shot on Highway 50, $5,000 reward offered
Humane Society of Utah offers a reward for arrest and conviction in dog shooting case
The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for shooting a female Australian Shepherd mix believed to be under 2 years old. The dog was found Feb. 28, 2018 on the side of Highway 50 by driver Emily Collingsworth, 23, near Scipio, Utah. The HSU hopes the reward assists the Millard County Sheriff’s Office in obtaining information required to identify and charge whoever is responsible for allegedly shooting Coco in her right shoulder.
“We’re horrified to think that someone could intentionally shoot a dog and leave it to suffer and die alone,” said Gene Baierschmidt, HSU executive director. “At the same time, we’re glad that she will survive and thank the community that has stepped in to help her. The person responsible must be caught and held accountable before they potentially harm or kill anyone else. We want to know who is responsible and why this heinous act was committed.”
According to the Collingsworth, Coco has been scheduled for surgery Monday, Mar. 5 at a Richfield, Utah veterinary hospital. Coco’s shoulder bone has been shattered from the bullet and the foreleg will need to be amputated.
Collingsworth set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to cover the surgery and care, which has raised $5,435 at this time.
Anyone with information regarding who may be responsible for shooting Coco is urged to contact Millard County Sheriff's Office at (435) 743-5302.
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About the Humane Society of Utah
The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the HSU has been sheltering homeless animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals across the state of Utah. HSU is the largest open-admission
private animal
shelter in the state
,
and welcomes any companion animal that can legally be admitted. As a member of the No-Kill Utah (NKUT) Coalition, the HSU works hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a local, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that does not receive any state tax dollars or government funding. HSU is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations. Read more about the HSU online at www.utahhumane.org.
