020836 717,000 Pounds of Beef Recalled

Washington (AP) - A Minneapolis firm is recalling about 717,000 pounds of frozen ground beef products, which were sold nationwide, because of possible E. coli contamination.

GFI American Inc. produced the ground beef between June 25 and July 16, the Agriculture Department said in announcing the recall. The meat was distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions nationwide.

The government has not received any reports of consumers falling ill from the recalled beef.

"Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, diners may want to ask if their meals contain the recalled product," said William J. Hudnall, acting administrator of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The E. coli bacteria is found in the intestinal tracts and feces of livestock. If it contaminates meat, it can lead to digestive illnesses, dehydration and even death. The USDA advises people to only eat ground beef patties cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees.

The recalled ground beef products include:

_10-pound boxes of beef fritters for chicken fried fritters bearing the product code 5203 and the lot number L33011.

_10-pound boxes of beef patties for Salisbury steaks, chopped and formed, bearing the product code 5504 and the lot number L32914.

_10-pound boxes of breaded veal steaks, beef added-chopped and formed, bearing the product code 6049 and the lot number L32943.

_20-pound boxes of 100% ground beef patties, one-pound portions, bearing the product code 2202 and the lot number L33019.

_20-pound boxes of seasoned beef patties bearing the product code 2740 and the lot number L32967.

_20-pound boxes of seasoned beef patties bearing the product code 2742 and the lot number L32966.

_20-pound boxes of 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2220 and the lot number L32953.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef patties bearing the product code 2729 and the lot number L32963.

_20-pound boxes of seasoned beef patties bearing the product code 2732 and the lot number L33039.

_20-pound boxes of 100% ground beef patties, one-pound portions, bearing the product code 2002 and the lot number L33072.

_20-pound boxes of 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2029 and the lot number L33075.

_20-pound boxes of beef patties with seasoning bearing the product code 38307 and the lot number L33099.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef patties bearing the product code 2036 and the lot number L32925.

_20-pound boxes of beef patties with seasoning bearing the product code 38253 and the lot number L33382.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef patties bearing the product code 2038 and the lot number L33369.

_20-pound boxes of beef patties with seasoning bearing the product code 38244 and the lot number L32919.

_20-pound boxes of 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2238 and the lot number L33021.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef sirloin steaks, chopped and formed, bearing the product code 2539 and the lot number L32891.

_20-pound boxes of seasoned beef sirloin patties bearing the product code 2541 and the lot number L32946.

_20-pound boxes of seasoned beef sirloin patties bearing the product code 2531 and the lot number L32969.

_20-pound boxes of beef sirloin patties bearing the product code 2538 and the lot number L32892.

_20-pound boxes of seasoned beef sirloin patties bearing the product code 2530 and the lot number L32949.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef patties bearing the product code 2229 and the lot number L33018.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef patties bearing the product code 2042 and the lot number L32974.

_20-pound boxes of beef patties bearing the product code 8049 and the lot number L33101.

_20-pound boxes of beef pattie blocks bearing the product code 8422 and the lot number L33103.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef patties bearing the product code 2044 and the lot number L32951.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef pattie bearing the product code 2049 and the lot number L3292.

_20-pound boxes of beef fritters for chicken fried fritters bearing the product code 5808 and the lot number L33001.

_20-pound boxes of Cracker Barrel's 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2629 and the lot number L32921.

_20-pound boxes of Cracker Barrel's 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2658 and the lot number L32934.

_20-pound boxes of 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2066 and the lot number L33379.

_20-pound boxes of 100% pure beef patties bearing the product code 2069 and the lot number L32905.

_20-pound boxes of seasoned beef patties bearing the product code 2752 and the lot number L32965.

_20-pound boxes of Famous Dave's 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2829 and the lot number L33015 or L32895.

_25 lb. boxes of seasoned beef sirloin patties bearing the production code 2521 and the lot number L32945.

_30 lb. boxes of beef patties with seasoning bearing the product code 38265 and the lot number L33100.

_30 lb. boxes of 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2283 and the lot number L32950.

_36 lb. boxes of beef patties bearing the product code 8446 and the lot number L33384.

_36 lb. boxes of 100% ground beef patties bearing the product code 2246 and the lot number L32954.

_36 lb. boxes of beef patties for Salisbury steaks, chopped and formed, bearing the product code 6994 and the lot number L32918.

_36 lb. boxes of beef patties bearing the product code 8046 and the lot number L33385.

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