SACRAMENTO – Consumers should not eat a variety of frozen ground beef patties produced by Merced-based Richwood Meat Co. Inc. because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a harmful bacteria that causes illness, State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton announced today. The company has agreed to recall approximately 100,000 pounds of products that were distributed in California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and produced in late April early May 2006.

These products were distributed to institutional food services, food distributors, discount grocers and some retail stores, including Winco and Vons.

"Consumers should check their freezers for these products and destroy them or take them back to place of purchase to ensure they do not become ill," State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton said.

The California Department of Health Services (CDHS) analyzed one of the lots of ground beef patties that was produced a year ago on April 28, 2006, and found that it contained E. coli O157:H7. Frozen product may still be available at retail or stored in consumer’s freezers.

This testing was initiated as part of an investigation with the Napa County Public Health Department into a cluster of E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses. Three individuals have been confirmed with E. coli O157:H7 illness and the county is investigating two possible cases. Confirmatory testing is ongoing to determine if the contamination in the ground beef is related to the illnesses.

E. coli O157:H7 infection often causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea, sometimes bloody diarrhea. There is usually little or no fever and the illness typically resolves itself in five to 10 days. Consumers with any of these symptoms should contact their physician. Infection with this organism can also cause hemolytic uremic syndrome and lead to kidney failure. Those most at risk for serious complications of this food-borne illness include young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-209-722-8171 ex. 35.

Fireriver Classic Fresh Ground Beef Patties,

72/4 oz patties – Item # 9064676       

Packed On: April 28, 2006         

18-pound case

Fireriver Classic Beef/Sirloin & Beef Patties

20/8 oz patties – Item # 3091816

Packed On:  April 28, 2006 

10-pound case

Fireriver Pure Beef Patties

20/8 oz patties – Item # 1514595

Packed On: April 28, 2006

10-pound case

Fireriver Classic Fresh Ground Beef Patties

54/5.33 oz patties – Item # 9064536

Packed On:  April 28, 2006

18-pound case

Fireriver Classic Fresh Ground Beef Patties

36/8 oz patties – Item # 9064890        

Packed On:  April 28, 2006        

18-pound case

Fireriver Classic Ground Beef Patties

30/5.33 oz patties - Item # 1120229             

Packed On:  April 28, 2006        

10-pound case

Fireriver Classic Ground Beef Patties

60/5.33 oz patties – Item # 1494426             

Packed On:  April 28, 2006

20-pound case

Fireriver Classic Beef Patties

30/5.33 oz patties - Item # 1120039

Packed On:  April 28, 2006        

10-pound case

Fireriver Classic Beef Patties

40/4 oz patties – Item # 3059227                  Packed On:  April 28, 2006        

10-pound case

Fireriver Classic Ground Beef Patties

20/8 oz patties – Item # 1570985                 

Packed On:  April 28, 2006        

10-pound case

Ritz Food Service Pure Beef Patties

80/20 – Code 7720                                      

Box Code:  118-6                      

10-pound case

Ritz Food Service Ground Beef Patties

80/20 – Code 7711                                  

Box Code:  118-6                      

10-pound case

Chef’s Pride Ground Beef Patties

80/20 – Code 7163                                           

Box Code:  118-6                      

10-pound case

Chef’s Pride Ground Beef Patties

80/20 – Code 7161             

Box Code:  118-6                      

10-pound case

Chef’s Pride Pure Beef Patties

80/20 – Code 7197                       

Box Code:  118-6                      

10-pound case

Blackwood Farms Ground Beef

20/8 oz patties – Code 7782                                Box Code:  118-6          

10-pound case

California Pacific Associates Ground Beef Patties 80/20 – 2 Round – Code 4115

Box Code:  118-6          

10-pound case

C & C Distributing Ground Beef Patties

3/1 Round – Code: 7123                           

Box Code:  118-6       

10-pound case

Golbon Ground Beef Patties

3 Round – Code: 7293                                   

Box Code:  118-6          

10-pound case

Richwood Meat Pure Beef Patties

8 – 3lb packs – Item: 4098                         

Pack Date: 118-6          

24-pound case

Richwood 100% Beef Patties

12 – 5lb Pattie Packs - Item # 4170               

Box Code:  118-6          

60-pound case

Richwood Meat 100% Premium Beef Sirloin & Beef Patties 8 – 2.66 lb bags – Code: 4094  

Date of Pack 118-6       

21.28-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Fresh Ground Beef Patties 36/8 oz patties – Code: 4081            

Pack Date: 4/28/06       

18-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Fresh Pure Beef Patties 40/5.33 oz patties – Code: 4077           

Pack Date: 4/28/06       

13.33-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Fresh Ground Beef Patties 72/4 oz patties – Code: 4048             Pack Date: 4/28/06       

18-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Fresh Pure Beef Patties 36/8 oz patties – Code: 4047             

Pack Date: 4/28/06     

18-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Fresh Ground Beef Patties 42/5.33 oz patties – Code: 4079       

Pack Date: 4/28/06       

14-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Fresh Ground Beef Patties 72/2.67 oz patties – Code: 4078       

Pack Date: 4/28/06       

12-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Fresh Ground Beef Patties 42/6 oz patties – Code: 4082             Pack Date: 4/28/06       

15.7- pound case

Richwood Meat Company Beef Patties

40/4 oz patties – Code: 4506         

Pack Date: 118-6       

10-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Ground Beef Patties

80/20 – Code: 7173                         

Pack Date: 118-6         

10-pound case

Richwood Meat Company Ground Beef Patties

80/20 – Code: 7171              

Pack Date: 118-6          

10-pound case

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Fireriver Classic Ground Beef Bulk

80/20 – Item# 2011062            

Box Code:  4/28/2006               

20-pound case (4 – 5 lb packages/case)

Fireriver Classic Ground Beef Bulk

80/20 – Item # 1120245        

Box Code:  4/28/2006    

10-pound case (2 – 5 lb packages/case)

Fireriver Classic Ground Beef Bulk

80/20 – Item# 6378772            

Box Code:  4/28/2006                

20-pound case (4 – 5 lb packages/case)

Fireriver Classic Ground Beef Bulk

85/15 - Item # 7709090           

Box Code:  4/28/2006               

20-pound case (4 – 5 lb packages/case)

Fireriver Classic Beef Patty Bulk

Item #1002575                       

Box Code:  4/28/2006                

20-pound case (2 – 10 lb packages/case)

Ritz Food Service Ground Beef

80/20 – Code 4731                      

Box Code:  118-6                      

10-pound case (2 – 5 lb packages/case)

Chef’s Pride Brand Ground Beef

80/20 – Code 4169                     

Box Code:  118-6                      

10-pound case (2 – 5 lb packages/case)

Richwood Meat Company Ground Beef

73/27 – Code: 4240          

Pack Date:  4/28/2006               

20-pound case (2 – 10 lb packages/case)

Richwood Meat Company Pure Beef Bulk

Code: 4187               

Box Code:  118-6                      

48-pound case (24 – 2 lb packages/case)

Richwood Meat Company Beef Patty Bulk

91/9 – Code 4686        

Box Code:  118-6                      

20-pound case (2 - 10 lb packages/case)