Spartan Stores recalls ground beef products
Spartan Stores, which owns Food Town in Dundee, announced on Friday, July 19 the voluntary recall of all ground beef products (ground beef from sirloin, ground beef from chuck, ground beef from round and hamburger) sold under the ConAgra beef product label and the Ashcraft’s, Family Fare, Food Town, Great Day and Prevo’s label purchased in Michigan and Ohio with a sell by date between April 13 and July 12, 2002.

This recall is in connection with the recall announced July 19 by ConAgra Beef Company of Greeley, Colorado. Spartan Stores purchased beef products from ConAgra during this time period.

The Spartan Stores recall, that now includes ground beef sold at all Spartan Stores, is an expansion of the June 30 ConAgra recall of fresh and frozen ground beef products. Testing of ConAgra ground beef products by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicated that E.coli 0.157:H7 was present.

The recall of ConAgra ground beef and beef trimmings is the second largest meat recall in U.S. history with the Colorado-based company asking Americans to destroy 19 million pounds of ground beef because of E.coli contamination.

At least 17 people in Colorado have been made ill by the E.coli, and at least six other people have been reported ill from E.coli in Michigan, California, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming, although it is uncertain if these illnesses were caused by ConAgra meat.

The labels on all the recalled meat has the code “EST.969” inside the SDA seal of inspection.

For a complete list of 2002 recalls, check the Food Safety and Inspection Service website at: fsis.usda.gov/OA/recalls.

Spartan Stores also distributes products to more than 330 independently owned stores throughout Michigan. Spartan Stores is notifying all of these stores of the ConAgra recall.
“Spartan Stores is recalling these ground beef products sold in our owned stores with a sell by date between April 13 through July 12,” said Jeanne Norcross, of Spartan. “All of the products involved in the recall should be returned for a full refund or replacement.”

E.coli 0157:H7 is an organism that may cause serious illness in the very young, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems. Consumers can protect themselves from E.coli 0157:H7 by cooking ground beef and pork to 160 degrees internal temperature. For more information on safe food handling, visit spartanstores.com.

Spartan Stores has received no confirmed reports of illness associated with the consumption of this recalled product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician immediately.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Spartan Stores Consumer Connections 1-800-451-8500.