020927 PA Plant Recalls 203,600 Pounds of Beef

Smithfield, VA (AP) - A Pennsylvania beef-packing company owned by Smithfield Foods recalled 203,600 pounds of ground beef after some of its meat tested positive for E. coli bacteria.

Moyer Packing, based in Souderton, Pa., was told by the Department of Agriculture that a sample was contaminated. Late last week, Moyer determined that the beef was produced Aug. 31 and the company recalled beef made on that day.

The tainted ground beef was shipped to customers in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Moyer is owned by Virginia-based Smithfield Foods, is the world's largest hog producer and processor.

David Bartlett, a Smithfield Foods spokesman, said customers who think they bought the recalled beef should check with the store they purchased it from. He said there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the ground beef.

E. coli can cause vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. It also can lead to kidney failure and death, particularly among the elderly and children.

The following products were recalled:

_"Pure Ground Beef 93 Coarse," bearing the code "1930316100."

_"Pure Ground Beef Chuck Coarse," bearing the code "1940056100."

_"Pure Ground Beef Round X85," bearing the code "1941116100."

_"Pure Ground Beef 75 Coarse", bearing the code "1910216100."

_"Pure Ground Beef 81 Coarse," bearing the code "1920116100."

_"Pure Ground Beef 91 Coarse," bearing the cod "1930146100."

_"Pure Ground Beef Sirloin X90," bearing the code "1942116100."

_"Pure Ground Beef Sirloin Coarse," bearing the code "1942016100."

_"Pure Ground Beef 91 Coarse," bearing the code "1930116100."

_"Pure Ground Beef 73 Coarse GU," bearing the code "1910016110."

Also being recalled are 40-lb cases labeled "Pure Ground Beef X Sirloin Fine" and bearing the code "1942164100."

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