Beef Burrito Filling Mix, Huntington Meat, Imperial Meat, and El Rancho Meat Recalls

This recall was reissued and expanded to include approximately 4.9 million additional pounds of beef and veal products, and to correct net weights from 40 lbs. to 50 lbs. in five instances in the earlier release. Read the reissued and expanded recall.

January 18, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Huntington Meat Packing, a Montebello, California, establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The problem was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by FSIS personnel. The investigation is ongoing.

SAFE PREPARATION OF FRESH AND FROZEN GROUND BEEF

Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F, whether prepared from fresh or frozen raw meat products.

Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

The following products, consisting of all ground beef products produced by the plant from January 5, 2010 to January 15, 2010, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef."
40 lb. boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING."
40 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX."
10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY."
20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY."
10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES."

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

During a subsequent review of the establishment's records, FSIS also determined additional products produced and shipped in 2008 to be adulterated because they may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. As a result, the following products produced from February 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef."
40 lb. boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING."
40 lb. boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX."
10 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY."
20 lb. boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY."
10 lb. boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES."

While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalled products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company owner, Robert Glenn, at 888-894-8242.