hannaford-logo.jpgThe USDA and FSIS today announced a recall of fresh ground beef products due to Salmonella contamination.  The recall affects Hannaford grocery stores, and the amount of meat to be recalled has not yet been determined.

FSIS is reporting that the recall was “initiated due to concerns about illnesses caused by an outbreak of salmonellosis that may be associated with use and consumption of fresh in-store ground beef prepared in and purchased at Hannaford stores.”

The 14 persons who have suffered Salmonella infections all share a common “PFGE pattern,” meaning the Salmonella that infected them is genetically indistinguishable.  In addtion the PFGE pattern is “rarely seen,” increasing the likelihood that those infected were sickened by a common food. 

FSIS further states:

11 of those (14) individuals reported consuming ground beef. Seven individuals were hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Ten of the 14 case-patients reported purchasing ground beef at Hannaford stores in Maine, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont between Oct. 12 and Nov. 20.

FSIS is reporting a link between the ground beef and the illnesses:

As a result of on-going epidemiologic and traceback investigations, as well as in-store reviews, FSIS, working with the CDC and its state health partners, determined that there is a link between the Hannaford ground beef products and this illness outbreak.

The recall notice provided this list of the recalled products: 

  • “73% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
  • “75% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
  • “80% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
  • “85% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
  • “90% Hannaford Regular Ground Beef”
  • “80% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
  • “85% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
  • “90% Taste of Inspirations Angus Ground Beef”
  • “85% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”
  • “90% Nature’s Place Ground Beef”

The various ground beef packages bear sell-by dates of Dec. 17, 2011 or earlier and were sold at Hannaford stores throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.