E. Coli Scare Prompts Winn Dixie Ground Beef Recall

August 4, 2013

Winn-Dixie has announced a voluntary recall of its Fresh 93% Lean Ground Beef due to possible E. coli contamination. The voluntary recall comes on the heels of a larger recall put into motion by the National Beef Packing Company.

“E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure,” according to a Winn Dixie media release. “The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.”

The Winn Dixie Fresh 93% Lean Ground Beef was sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi with UPC codes 20167100000 and 24370700000. All package sizes and sell by dates are included in the recall. The potentially contaminated meat was shipped to Winn-Dixie stores after July 18.

“We encourage customers to check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled item and to immediately discard the product or bring it back to their store,” said Brian Wright, Winn-Dixie’s corporate communications senior director. “Customers who purchased the product may visit their neighborhood Winn-Dixie to request a full refund, no questions asked.”

To receive the refund, customers may present proof of purchase through a receipt or the product packaging label.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Customers with questions about the recalled products may contact the Winn-Dixie Customer Call Center toll free at 866-946-6349, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. EDT and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. EDT.

Comments

8 Responses to “E. Coli Scare Prompts Winn Dixie Ground Beef Recall”

  1. Sue on August 4th, 2013 11:34 pm

    I work at Winn Dixie and asked about this during my shift tonight. It’s the prepackaged ground beef that is in a black tray, sealed with plastic. This kind of packaging.

    http://www.cargillgroundbeef.com/images/img-learn-packaging-overwrap.jpg

  2. claudia on August 4th, 2013 4:16 pm

    “To receive the refund, customers may present proof of purchase through a receipt or the product packaging label.”

    since it says “OR”, it would seem the reciept alone is sufficient. i will find out soon enough when i take my reciept in. i already cooked and ate half of what i had bought. didnt get sick, thank God.

  3. David Huie Green on August 4th, 2013 2:08 pm

    Irradiate it all to make it safe for human consumption.

    David for proper use of nukes

  4. DLo on August 4th, 2013 12:17 pm

    As long as you cook all your ground beef to at least 160 degrees F. internal temperature then you will kill ALL E.Coli bacteria. Get a metal probe thermometer from any grocery store and see what temperature you’re cooking to. Do not eat a medium hamburger unless you ground a larger piece of meat yourself. Look up how to kill E.Coli on the FDA website.

  5. Harmony Malone on August 4th, 2013 9:10 am

    Is this the meat that is prepackaged or the meat sold in the clear plastic wrapped by the butcher?

  6. William on August 4th, 2013 7:50 am

    >>>Are other ground beef products affected in other stores? What about restaurants?

    We, as consumers, don’t know. The meat was shipped from National Beef Packing Co. in Kansas in 40-60 pound cases to retailers, wholesalers, and food service distributors nationwide.

    Winn Dixie is the only retailer in our part of the country that’s stepped up and issued the recall because they purchased and sold some of the product.

    Here’s the National Beef recall info: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2013/Recall-043-2013-Release

  7. Jane on August 4th, 2013 6:34 am

    Are other ground beef products affected in other stores? What about restaurants?

  8. tomtom44 on August 4th, 2013 3:03 am

    ok what about someone like me that buys in large packs takes it home and repacks it? out of gas i guess

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