Voluntary Recall: Ground beef recall

In connection with the expanded JBS Swift Beef Company national recall, Sweetbay Supermarket is advising consumers to check their freezers for any ground beef or beef products with sell-by dates ranging from April 28 through June 5.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, JBS Swift Beef Company, a Greeley, Colo. establishment, is recalling beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

In addition to the ground beef products that were recalled last week, Sweetbay Supermarket was notified today that our stores may have received additional beef products included in the recall. The recall includes specific cuts of beef and ground beef with sell by dates of April 28 through June 5, 2009. In an abundance of caution, Sweetbay is encouraging its customers to check their freezers for any fresh beef products with sell by dates of April 28 through June 5, 2009. Sweetbay will provide a refund or replacement of any beef or ground beef product purchased at our stores with these sell-by date ranges.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to food borne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

All beef products currently in our stores are safe for consumption and, to our knowledge, there have been no incidents or reports stemming this recall.