020746 Kroger Cooperates With Conagra Beef RecallJuly 20, 2002Cincinnati, OH - The Kroger Co.said it is cooperating with a voluntary ground beef recall launched by ConAgra Beef Co., one of the nation's largest beef processors. ConAgra is recalling 18.6 million pounds of ground beef 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 at a ConAgra plant in Greeley, Colorado. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. As part of ConAgra's recall, Kroger is asking consumers to check their freezers for Kroger-brand ground beef, ground chuck and ground round purchased in one-, three- and five-pound tubes with sell-by dates of May 9, 2002 through July 16, 2002, USDA EST #969 (identifies the ConAgra plant where the product was processed) from the Company's stores in the following states: Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The recall also includes Pay Less and Owen's stores in Indiana; Kessel Food Markets in Michigan; Gerbes stores in Missouri; and Hilander stores in Illinois. Consumers should return these products to the stores for a full refund or replacement. In addition, Kroger customers in Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Mississippi are asked to check their freezers for ground beef, ground chuck, ground sirloin or ground round (packaged in foam trays and wrapped in plastic film) with sell-by dates of April 18, 2002 through June 11, 2002 that was purchased from Kroger stores in those states. Also, customers of Dillon stores in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri; Gerbes stores in Missouri; and Baker's stores in Nebraska should check their freezers for ground beef, ground chuck, ground sirloin and ground round (packaged in foam trays and wrapped in plastic film) with sell-by dates of June 22, 2002 through July 14, 2002. These products should also be returned to stores for a full refund or replacement. This recall does not affect any ground beef or other meat products currently offered for sale in the Company's stores. Consumers who have questions about the recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900 or the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service at (866) 849-7438. ConAgra's 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, any harmful bacteria are destroyed and the ground beef is safe to consume.
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