There is a Ground Beef Recall right now for some US States. The concern is that the meat may have been tainted with a harmful strain of e. coli. Originally, the recall applied to eight states – Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts and North Carolina. Because some of the food chains may have redistributed packages, Fairbank Farms has expanded the range to include all Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

While the contaminated meat has been removed from stores – which is of little help, since it is more than 20 days past its expiration date — the beef recall may reach as far as your freezer, if you purchased ground beef from Trader Joe’s, Price Chopper or BJ’s Warehouse. Check your meat and look for the code EST. 492 and a sell by date that ranges from 09-19 to 09-28.

What do consumer registration cards have to do with the beef recall 2009? Perhaps they showcase the uncertainty about processes in place to more effectively alert the public to a ground beef recall. Then again, they also show that there is a lot of willingness to let someone else take on the cost and responsibility of consumer protection. In the meantime, as stated by Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr.: “If in doubt, throw it out.”

Sources

http://www.acorn-online.com/

http://www.fairbankfarms.com/

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/