Source:  Ann Bagel Storck, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/18/10

Huntington Meat Packing Inc. in Montebello, Calif., is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Monday.

The agency discovered he problem while conducting a Food Safety Assessment, which ultimately prompted a further investigation of establishment records. The investigation is ongoing.

The following products, consisting of all ground beef products produced by the plant from Jan. 5, 2010, to Jan. 15, 2010, are subject to recall:

• 40-pound boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef"
• 40-pound boxes of "HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING"
• 40-pound boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX"
• 10-pound boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
• 20-pound boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
• 10-pound boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants and hotels in California. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

Products from 2008 also recalled

During a subsequent review of the establishment's records, FSIS also determined additional products produced and shipped in 2008 to be adulterated because they may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. As a result, the following products produced from Feb. 19, 2008, to May 15, 2008, are subject to recall:

• 40-pound boxes of "Huntington Meats Ground Beef"
• 40-pound boxes of " HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING"
• 40-pound boxes of "BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX"
• 10-pound boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
• 20-pound boxes of "IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY"
• 10-pound boxes of "El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES"

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants and hotels in California.

While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalled products.

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