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

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2006 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert to remind consumers to ensure that meat products are fully cooked and properly handled before they are consumed.

FSIS has received reports of 14 illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 with matching microbiological profiles. There is no link to a specific product but illnesses from this pathogen can be associated with consumption of raw or undercooked ground beef. Illnesses have been found in California, Iowa, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. These illnesses occurred over a six-month period, beginning in September 2005 through March 2006, and FSIS is working closely with State and local health officials to determine the exposure that led to illness.

Therefore, FSIS wants to remind all consumers of the proper handling and cooking of meat products. Safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage are essential to prevent foodborne illness. Consumers should follow the four Fight BAC!® guidelines to keep food safe:

• CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often
  Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling food. Wash your cutting boards, dishes, etc., with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item. Wash fruits and vegetables with cold water before using. There is no need to wash or rinse meat or poultry.

   

• SEPARATE: Don't cross-contaminate
  Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods while shopping, preparing, or storing. Never place cooked food on a plate which previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

   

• COOK: Cook food to proper temperatures
  To be sure bacteria and pathogens are destroyed, cook ground beef products to 160 °F. Use a food thermometer to be sure!

   

• CHILL: Refrigerate Promptly
  Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours or sooner.

   

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHOTLINE. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.