Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., Recalls Various Cuts of Steaks And Ground Beef Products Due To Contamination with E. coli O157:H7

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-001-2008	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2008 - Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., a Detroit, Mich., firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 13,150 pounds of various cuts of steaks and ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The steak and ground beef products subject to recall were produced on Dec. 20, 21, 24 or 26, 2007, and were distributed to restaurants in the metropolitan Detroit area. These products were not available for purchase by consumers in retail establishments.
FSIS has received no reports of illness related to these products at this time. Anyone who consumed these types of products at Detroit area restaurants and is experiencing an illness should contact a physician immediately.

The following products are subject to recall:

• Boxes of "Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., BEEF FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY, BALL TIP STEAKS."
• Boxes of "Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., BEEF FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY, BEEF NY STRIPS."
• Boxes of "Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., BEEF FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY, BEEF T-BONE STEAK."
• Boxes of "Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., BEEF FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY, BEEF PORTERHOUSE STEAK."
• Boxes of "Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., BEEF FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY, BEEF TOP SIRLOIN STEAKS."
• Boxes of "Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., BEEF FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY, BULK GROUND BEEF."
• Boxes of "Mark's Quality Meats, Inc., BEEF FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY, GROUND BEEF PATTIES."

Each shipping label bears the establishment number "Est. 8951" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The problem was discovered after the recalling firm submitted a product sample that tested positive at a third party laboratory.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact the company General Manager Jack Fudge at (313) 554-2500.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to food borne illness.
tag: USDA recall, Beef Recall, Food Recall, health risk, Mark's Quality Meats recall, E. coli O157:H7, E.COLI, ground beef recall, Steak recall