Kansas Firm Recalls Ground Beef For Possible E. coli O157:H7
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004 - Excel Corporation, Inc., a Dodge City, Kan., firm, is
voluntarily recalling approximately 45,000 pounds of fresh ground beef that may be contaminated with
E. coli O157:H7.
The products subject to recall are 80-pound boxes of:
- "EXCEL, CHUCK GROUND BEEF, 81/19 FINE GRIND, 100% BEEF CHUCK, 241."
- "EXCEL, 81/19 COARSE GRIND, GROUND BEEF, 100% BEEF, 336."
- "EXCEL, 81/19 FINE GRIND, GROUND BEEF, 100% BEEF, 356."
- "EXCEL, 90/10 FINE GRIND, GROUND BEEF, NOT TO EXCEED 10% FAT, 100% BEEF, 389."
Each box contains eight, 10-pound chubs of ground beef and carries the date code,
"USE/FREEZE BY: 04-29-04." The boxes bear the establishment number "86K" inside the USDA
mark of inspection. In addition, each box contains the following lot code, "04100409 0018"
or "04100409 0019." Each chub contains the use/freeze by date and the USDA mark of inspection.
The beef was produced on April 9, 2004 and shipped to distributors in Alabama, Illinois,
Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Texas. The bulk beef was then likely
repackaged prior to retail distribution.
The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector while conducting an inspection verification check.
FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration.
The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Consumers may call the Excel consumer hotline at 1- (800) 267-6946 if they have further questions
concerning the recall. Media and consumers with questions about the recall may contact Mark Klein,
Excel director of communications, at (952) 742-6211.
Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry
Hotline at 1-888-MPHOTLINE (674-6854). The hotline is available in English and Spanish and
can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday.
Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov
