Nebraska Beef Identified as Supplier of Beef Linked to Illnesses in Michigan
and Ohio
CINCINNATI, July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of
Agriculture has informed The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) that Nebraska Beef, based
in Omaha, Neb., has been identified as the supplier of ground beef products
linked to E. coli illnesses in Michigan and central and northern Ohio. The
illnesses were reported between May 31 and June 8. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention have not reported any additional illnesses related to
this outbreak.
Kroger has expanded the voluntary recall the Company initiated last week
for Kroger stores in Michigan and in central and northern Ohio (Columbus and
Toledo areas).
Based on the latest information from the USDA, Kroger is expanding the
recall to include ground beef products in Styrofoam tray packages wrapped in
clear cellophane or purchased from an in-store service counter from the stores
described below.
There are various "sell by" dates on the ground beef being recalled due to
different Nebraska Beef production dates.
The following chart explains the range of "sell by" dates that customers
should check:
Fred Meyer May 21-July 5
QFC May 21-July 5
Kroger stores May 21-July 3 *
(*except Kroger stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Knoxville,
Tenn. and Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division, which includes stores in North
Carolina, Northeastern Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Kroger stores in
Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, Tenn. are not involved in the
recall of ground beef in Styrofoam trays or from in-store service counters.)
Kroger Mid-Atlantic May 19-June 6
Fry's May 21-July 3
Ralphs May 21-July 3
Smith's May 21-July 3
Baker's May 17-June 4
King Soopers June 20-July 3
City Market June 20-July 3
Customers who shop at Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less, and Scott's should
follow the "sell by" dates listed above for Kroger stores.
In addition to the ground beef described above, Kroger is recalling
Private Selection Natural ground beef sold in 16 oz. packages that were in the
self-service meat case. The "sell by" dates for this product is July 11
through July 21, 2008. The product was available at all Kroger stores
(including Kroger Mid-Atlantic and stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama
and Knoxville, Tenn.) and Dillons, Fred Meyer, Baker's, Smith's and Fry's.
What Customers Should Do:
Kroger is asking customers to carefully check the ground beef they have at
home in their refrigerators and freezers. If they have any products covered
in this recall, they should return the product to a store for a full refund or
replacement.
What Kroger Is Doing:
Kroger has expanded the recall due to new information provided by the
USDA. This information links product produced by Nebraska Beef to the
illnesses. As a precaution, Kroger is removing all ground beef supplied by
Nebraska Beef during the dates provided by the USDA.
The following items are not included in this recall: ground beef sold in
sealed tubes in one, three or five-pound packages and frozen ground beef
patties sold in the frozen food section of its stores.
Kroger has already begun notifying customers about this recall by placing
signs in stores in meat departments. Kroger is also using its register
receipt notification system that alerts customers about recalls of products
they may have purchased.
Kroger has instructed every store involved in the recall to discard the
ground beef products in question and thoroughly clean and sanitize all
equipment used to prepare ground beef for sale.
Consumers who have questions about the recall may contact Kroger toll-free
at (800) 632-6900.
Consumers are reminded 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, any harmful bacteria are destroyed and the ground beef is
safe to consume.
For more information, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com/recalls.
SOURCE The Kroger Co.
Kroger Contacts: The Kroger Co. Meghan Glynn, +1-513-762-1304; Georgia, Glynn
Jenkins, +1-770-496-7547; Cincinnati, Rachael Betzler, +1-513- 782-3461;
Columbus, Amy Barlow, +1-614-898-3581; Dallas, Gary Huddleston, +1-
972-785-6004; Dillons, Sheila Lowrie, +1-620-669-3116; Fred Meyer, Melinda
Merrill, +1-503-797-3830; Fry's, Kendra Doyel, +1-623-907-7190; Houston,
Russell Richard, +1-713-507-4809; Indianapolis, John Elliott, +1-317-579-8222;
King Soopers/City Market, Trail Daugherty, +1-303-778-3377;
Louisville/Lexington, Tim McGurk, +1-502-423-4854; Memphis, Joe Bell, +1-901-
765-4315; Michigan, Dale Hollandsworth, +1-248-957-2234; Nashville, Melissa
Eads, +1-615-871-2503; Ralphs, Terry O'Neil, +1-310-900-3533; Virginia, Carl
York, +1-540-563-3691; Smith's, Marsha Gilford, +1-801-973-1700; Investor
Contact: Carin Fike, +1-513-762-4969
