WASHINGTON, July 19 (UPI) -- ConAgra Beef Co. Friday recalled more than 18 million pounds of ground beef because of possible contamination by E.coli O157:H7 in the second largest meat recall in U.S. history, behind 35 million pounds recalled by Hudson Beef in 1997.
ConAgra and the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it had received reports at least 19 people being sickened after consuming the meat, USDA undersecretary Elsa Murano said.
ConAgra initially recalled 354,200 pounds of hamburger June 30 but Friday expanded the recall to include 18.6 million pounds.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced the recall at a news conference.
"The cause of the illnesses was linked to raw beef products from ConAgra," she said, adding that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had linked 16 illnesses in Colorado, California, Michigan, South Dakota, Washington state and Wyoming to tainted meat produced at ConAgra's Greeley, Colo., plant.
Earlier this week, FSIS issued a statement acknowledging a number of people had been stricken.
"Despite these efforts, tragically, a number of Colorado citizens have become ill from the consumption of tainted meat. This is deeply troubling. In response, FSIS has sent an investigation team to the ConAgra plant in Colorado and has implemented a new policy to more quickly trace back tainted meat," the statement said.
"Our highest priority is protecting the public's health and safety," said William Hudnall, acting administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service. "Today's precautionary action is an additional measure to ensure this priority is carried out."
E.coli, which can be killed with proper cooking, puts children and the elderly at greatest risk for diarrhea, dehydration and kidney damage.
Veneman said ConAgra and officials at the Greeley plant had been extremely cooperative and it was premature to speculate on whether any criminal charges or fines would be forthcoming.
FSIS said the tainted meat was distributed in 21 states. The recall includes:
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck, 80/20 Coarse Grind 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42606."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 75/25, Coarse Grind, 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42511."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 73/27, Coarse Grind, 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42510."
--"BULK GROUND BEEF, 81/19, FINE." Each label bears the case code, "2209393."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 8-5-pound Chubs, Keep Frozen, Net Weight 40 Pounds" Each label also bears, "42502."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 81/19, Fine Grind, 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42499."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 93/07, Fine Grind, 24-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42891."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Round Fine Grind, 12-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42878."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Round, 85/15 Coarse Grind, 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42609."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck, 80/20 Fine Grind, 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42630."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 75/25 Fine Grind, 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42632."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 85/15 Coarse Grind, 8-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42409."
--"CERTIFIED, ANGUS BEEF, Ground Beef, 81/19 Fine Grind, 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42242."
--"Hunt-Wesson, No. B171, 70/30 Coarse Ground Beef, For Further Processing." Each label also bears, "42301."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42162."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 81/19 Coarse Grind, 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42141."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 81/19, Fine Grind, 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42142."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 85/15, Coarse Grind, 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42151."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 75/25, Fine Grind, 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42122."
--"Con Agra Beef, Beef Trimmings Ground, 73/27, Use In Fully Cooked Only, Keep Frozen, Net Weight 60 Pounds" Each label also bears, "42116."
--16-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF ROUND."
--16-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF, 73/27."
--16-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF CHUCK."
--16-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF, 80/20."
--16-ounce packages of "LEAN GROUND BEEF, 93/7"
--16-ounce packages of "Kroger, FRESH, GROUND CHUCK, 100% BEEF."
--16-ounce packages of "Kroger, FRESH, GROUND BEEF, 100% BEEF."
--16-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN."
--60-pound boxes of "Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 85/15 Fine Grind, 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42152."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 81/19, Fine Grind, 24-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42841."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 81/19 Fine Grind, 12-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42843."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 81/19 Fine Grind, 8-5-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42845."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 81/19, Fine Grind, 12-5-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42846."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 24-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42861."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 36-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42862."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 12-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42863."
--Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 12-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42867."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 12-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42868."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind, 8-5-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42869."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Round Fine Grind, 24-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42871."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef, 85/15, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44117."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 50/50, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44001."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 65/35, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44002."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 75/25, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44003."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 85/15, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44007."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 50/50 Keep Frozen Use in Fully Cooked Only, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears "44016."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 65/35 Keep Frozen Use in Fully Cooked Only, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44017."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 85/15 Keep Frozen Use in Fully Cooked Only, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44019."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings 80/20 Keep Frozen Use in Fully Cooked Only, 60 Pounds Net Weight" Each label also bears, "44020."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Sirloin 90/10 Fine Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42132."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Fine Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42166."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Chuck Coarse Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, '42169."
--"CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF, Ground Beef Chuck Coarse Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42262."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef 93/07 Coarse Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42191."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef 93/07 Fine Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42192."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Round Coarse Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42171."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Round Fine Grind 6-10-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42172."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 24-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42811."
--"Con Agra Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 12-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42813."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 16-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42814."
--"Con Agra Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 12-5-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42816."
--"Con Agra Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 24-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42817."
--"Con Agra Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 12-3-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42818."
--"Con Agra Beef, 73/27, Fine Grind, 8-5-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42819."
--"Con Agra Beef, 75/25, Fine Grind, 8-5-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42825."
--"Con Agra Beef, 75/25, Fine Grind, 12-5-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42826."
--"Con Agra Beef, Ground Beef Sirloin Fine Grind, 24-1-pound Chubs." Each label also bears, "42831."
--80-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF 75/25"
--80-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF 73/27"
--80-ounce packages of "Kroger FRESH GROUND BEEF QUALITY GUARANTEED 100% BEEF"
--80-ounce packages "GROUND BEEF 80/20"
--80-ounce packages of "Kroger FRESH GROUND BEEF QUALITY GUARANTEED 100% BEEF"
--48-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF 73/27"
--48-ounce packages "GROUND BEEF CHUCK"
--48-ounce packages of "Kroger FRESH GROUND ROUND QUALITY GUARANTEED 100% BEEF"
--48-ounce packages of "Kroger GROUND CHUCK QUALITY GUARANTEED 100% BEEF"
--80-ounce packages of "Kroger GROUND CHUCK QUALITY GUARANTEED 100% BEEF"
--48-ounce packages of "GROUND BEEF 80/20"
Also subject to the recall expansion are the following beef trim products produced on approximately 34 production days from April 12 through July 11. Each product bears on its label a pack date from "APR 12" through "JUL 11":
--"Con Agra Beef, Edible Beef Fat with Visible Lean and Edible Beef Fat, Ingredients: Beef Fat with Visible Lean, Beef Fat. For Further Processing, (Paper Combo)." Each label also bears, "43997."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings, 85/15, (Combo)." Each label bears, "43007."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings, 65/35, (Combo)." Each label also bears, "43002."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings, 50/50, (Combo)." Each label also bears, "43001."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Chuck Trimmings G/B, (Comb)." Each label also bears, "20490."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Chuck Trimmings G/B, (Combo)." Each label also bears, "30490."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Round Trimmings, (Combo)." Each label also bears, "30638."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings, 65/35, (Combo)." Each label also bears, "43002."
--"Con Agra Beef, Boneless Beef Trimmings, 50/50, (Combo)." Each label also bears, "43001."
Consumers with questions on this recall can call the FSIS at 866-849-7438 and ask other food safety questions on the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.
