Kroger Cooperates with Ground Beef Recall Announced by American FoodsGroup, Inc.
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR - news) today said it is cooperating with a ground beef recall
announced by American Foods Group, Inc., a wholesale meat supplier based in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
American Foods announced the recall as a precautionary measure after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) detected the
presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) bacteria in a sample of beef processed by American Foods.
Kroger has not received any complaints of illness related to the product.
In accordance with American Foods' recall, Kroger is asking consumers to check their freezers for Kroger-brand ground beef
purchased in three- or five- pound tubes with a sell-by date of August 19, 2001, USDA EST #410, from Kroger stores in the
following states: Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee,
Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia and North Carolina. The recall also includes Jay C, Pay Less and Owen's stores in Indiana; Kessel
Food Markets in Michigan; and Hilander stores in Illinois. Consumers should return this ground beef to the store for a full refund or
replacement.
In addition, Kroger customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Michigan should check their freezers for ground beef
(packaged in foam trays and wrapped in plastic film) with sell-by dates of August 3, 2001 through August 19, 2001, that was
purchased from Kroger stores in those states. The recall also includes Jay C, Pay Less and Owen's stores in Indiana; Kessel Food
Markets in Michigan; and Hilander stores in Illinois. The recall includes ground beef, ground chuck, ground sirloin, ground round, and
fresh ground beef patties. These products should also be returned to the store for a full refund or replacement.
Customers who have questions about the recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900.
American Foods' recall serves as another reminder to consumers 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 at least 160 degrees, the E. coli bacteria is destroyed and the ground beef is safe to consume.
Kroger has stringent quality control and food safety programs in place to ensure the quality and safety of the meat products sold at its
stores. These programs include employee training in procedures designed to minimize or eliminate the risk of contamination at every
step in the preparation and display of meat items.
announced by American Foods Group, Inc., a wholesale meat supplier based in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
American Foods announced the recall as a precautionary measure after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) detected the
presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) bacteria in a sample of beef processed by American Foods.
Kroger has not received any complaints of illness related to the product.
In accordance with American Foods' recall, Kroger is asking consumers to check their freezers for Kroger-brand ground beef
purchased in three- or five- pound tubes with a sell-by date of August 19, 2001, USDA EST #410, from Kroger stores in the
following states: Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee,
Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia and North Carolina. The recall also includes Jay C, Pay Less and Owen's stores in Indiana; Kessel
Food Markets in Michigan; and Hilander stores in Illinois. Consumers should return this ground beef to the store for a full refund or
replacement.
In addition, Kroger customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Michigan should check their freezers for ground beef
(packaged in foam trays and wrapped in plastic film) with sell-by dates of August 3, 2001 through August 19, 2001, that was
purchased from Kroger stores in those states. The recall also includes Jay C, Pay Less and Owen's stores in Indiana; Kessel Food
Markets in Michigan; and Hilander stores in Illinois. The recall includes ground beef, ground chuck, ground sirloin, ground round, and
fresh ground beef patties. These products should also be returned to the store for a full refund or replacement.
Customers who have questions about the recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900.
American Foods' recall serves as another reminder to consumers 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 at least 160 degrees, the E. coli bacteria is destroyed and the ground beef is safe to consume.
Kroger has stringent quality control and food safety programs in place to ensure the quality and safety of the meat products sold at its
stores. These programs include employee training in procedures designed to minimize or eliminate the risk of contamination at every
step in the preparation and display of meat items.