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Topps Beef Recall Expanded

Hamburger patties may be infected with E. coli

September 27, 2007

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Topps Meat Company has expanded its recall of ground beef that may be tainted with the virulent 0157:H7 strain of the E. coli bacteria. The company said it is voluntarily recalling approximately 331,582 pounds of ground beef products.

The following products are subject to recall:

Retail Products

• Two-pound boxes of Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 8 Quarter Pounders. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 12 08. UPC #74701-00065
• Two-pound boxes of Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 3 OZ., 10 COUNT. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 12 08. UPC #74701-00125
• Three-pound boxes of Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 6 OZ. PUB Burgers. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUN 22 08. UPC #74701-00045
• Three-pound boxes of Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 16 Hamburgers. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 23 08. UPC #74701- 00005.
• Five-pound boxes of Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 20 Quarter Pounders. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUN 22 08, JUL 12 08 or JUL 23 08. UPC #74701-00055.
• Eight-pound boxes of Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 32 Quarter Pounders. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUN 22 08, JUL 12 08 or JUL 23 08. UPC #74701-00185.
• Three-pound boxes of Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 12 Quarter Pounders. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUN 22 08, JUL 12 08 or JUL 23 08. UPC #74701-00025.

Foodservice Products

• Ten-pound boxes of BUTCHER’S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 6 OZ. FLAT, 27 PIECES. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 23 08.
• 10-pound boxes of BUTCHER’S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 4 OZ. (4-1), 40 PIECES. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 23 08.
• 10-pound boxes of KOHLER FOODS 4 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, 40 PCS. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 23 08.
• 10-pound boxes of KOHLER FOODS 6 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, 27 PCS. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 23 08.
• 10-pound boxes of KOHLER FOODS 8 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, 20 PCS. Each box bears a sell-by date of JUL 23 08. 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT, 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGERS 80/20, 8 OZ. FLAT, 20 COUNT. Each box bears a packedon date of JUN 22 08.
• 10-pound boxes of SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT, 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGERS 85/15, 6 OZ. FLAT, 27 COUNT
• 10-pound boxes of Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS 5 OZ.
• 10-pound boxes of ¡§Topps HAMBURGERS, 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT. 1
• 10-pound boxes of Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 8 OZ
• 10-pound boxes of Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 4 OZ. (4-1) 10-pound boxes of WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ.
• 10-pound boxes of WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ on date of JUN 22 07.

Each box bears a sell-by-date of JUN 22 08.

The packages also bear the establishment number Est. 9748 on the back panel and it may be inside the USDA mark of inspection as well. These products should no longer be available in grocery stores. However, they may be in consumers' freezers and it is important that consumers look for these products.

If you have a product marked with the above information, the company says you should remove the sell-by date and UPC code and send it to: Attn: Recall Coordinator, Topps Meat Company LLC, P.O. Box 219, 1161 E. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 for a full refund.

The products were produced on June 22, 2007, July 13, 2007 and July 23, 2007 and were distributed to retail grocery stores and food service institutions nationwide. The problem was discovered through sampling done by the New York Department of Health as part of their coordinated investigation with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention into several reported illnesses.

Topps says this is its first recall in its 65-year history. However, its just the latest in a series of recalls prompted by concerns over E. coli contamination. They come at a time when critics of the U.S. food safety inspection system have called for more resources devoted to protecting the U.S. food supply.

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