Expanded beef recall list released

Officials Wednesday released an expanded list of retail stores that carried the 5.7 million pounds of ground beef recalled last week because it may be contaminated with a potentially deadly form of E. coli.

The fresh and frozen beef was sold at outlets of 18 firms in California, according to a list from the producer, Vernon-based United Food Group.

A federal spokesman said Wednesday that in addition to brand names announced last week, the recall affected Kroger’s frozen beef patties sold at Food 4 Less and Ralphs.

Most of the beef carried sell-by or use-by dates from April 15 through May 6. Frozen patties carried sell-by dates from Aug. 6 to Jan. 20, 2008.

Regulators are urging consumers to check their freezers for the beef and discard or return it.

Affected California grocery stores were Albertsons, Barons Markets, Food 4 Less, Food Maxx, Food Source, Grocery Outlet, Grocery Warehouse, Max Foods, Raleys, Ralphs, Save-a-Lot, Save Mart Supermarkets, Sav-On, Scolaris, Smart & Final, Stater Bros. Markets, Super Savers and Trader Joe’s.

More information and a product list can be found on the web at www.fsis.usda.gov/News__Events/Expanded_Recall_025_Release_060907/ind ex.asp and www.unitedfoodgrouprecall.com.