WASHINGTON, August 23, 2003—J&B Meats Corporation, a Coal Valley, Ill., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 76,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall each bear the date code "5630053" and establishment code "EST. 5712" inside the USDA seal of inspection. The products subject to recall are:

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN TENDER & JUICY BEEF PATTIES" bearing the code "11344."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "JB0104."

• 24.5-lb. cases of "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "8218."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1140."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8020."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8020EC."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER" bearing the code "J1002."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER" bearing the code "J1003."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER" bearing the code "J1004."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN J-BURGER SEASONED BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11372TF."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN J-BURGER SEASONED BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11373TF."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN J-BURGER SEASONED BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11374TF."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF PATTIE WHOPPER" bearing the code "11364AW."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1136EC."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIES WHOPPER" bearing the code "JB0704W."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11323."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN 100% PURE BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11393."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN TENDER & JUICY BEEF PATTIES" bearing the code "11343."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED HEART OF AMERICA CHUCK PATTIE GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIE" bearing the code "4002HA."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8515."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1142."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1143."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1144."

• 12-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "1144R."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF" bearing the code "8020ECF."

• 20-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN BEEF PATTIE MIX" bearing the code "8020PF."

• 40-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF COARSE GRIND" bearing the code "291101."

• 10-lb. cases of "J&B BRAND MEATS, CORP., KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF PATTIE" bearing the code "11384."

The products were produced on May 30 and distributed to wholesale establishments nationwide.

An E. coli O157:H7 illness in Wisconsin triggered an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Health. Sampling of a J&B Meats Corporation ground beef product was performed by the Wisconsin Department of Health and the positive E. coli O157:H7 results were reported to FSIS on Aug. 22. As a result, J&B Meats Corporation initiated a voluntary product recall. At present, there is no definitive link implicating the recalled products to any illnesses. However, FSIS is continuing its investigation. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Jeff Jobe, company president, at (309) 799-7341.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) MPHotline. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. And recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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