E coli fear prompts North Carolina firm to recall beef

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced March 2 that Randolph Packing Co. Inc., an Asheboro, N.C. establishment, is recalling some 96,000 pounds of beef products due to potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7.

The products subject to recall include: 

Combo bin packages of "Randolph Packing Co., Inc. BONELESS BEEF."

Combo bin packages of "Randolph Packing Co. Knuckles 90% & 94%."

30 lbs. boxes of "Beef Ribeye Rolls."

Each package label should bear the establishment number "EST. 6590" inside the USDA mark of inspection. 

The beef products were processed on February 25, 2010, and were distributed to federal establishments for further processing in Ill., Mo., N.Y., Ohio, and Va. None of these beef products are available directly to food consumers.

The problem was discovered by FSIS through routine microbiological sampling.

Media and consumer questions about the recall should contact directly the company Plant Manager, Wayne Gilberts, or Craig Hamlet, General Manager at (366) 672-1470.

The article may contain content of a press release by the FISIS.

By Jimmy Downs