WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2003—Abbyland Beef, an Abbotsford, Wis., establishment, is voluntarily recalling an additional 11,800 pounds of fresh boneless beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The expanded recall includes products produced on Oct. 21 and distributed to wholesale establishments in Delaware, Illinois and Wisconsin.

On October 31, Abbyland Beef originally recalled approximately 78,600 pounds of fresh boneless beef that may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The beef products associated with the original recall were produced on Oct. 20 and were distributed to wholesale establishments in Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The recall is being expanded because of the possibility that additional product from Oct. 21 may have become contaminated.

The products being recalled are various cuts of boneless beef shipped in containers of various weights and intended for further processing (grinding). Each container bears the words "BONELESS BEEF" and USDA establishment number "EST. 1633" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

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.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall may contact Julie Jacobsen, company director of human resources, at 715-223-6386, ext. 7254.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Tiffiny Pierce, company microbiologist, at 715-223-6386, ext. 7228.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) 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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