Recalled Frozen Hamburgers Found in Seven New Jersey Stores

October 30, 2007 -- Newark – A total of 138 boxes of frozen hamburger and beef products recalled by the Topps Meat Company because of potential E.coli contamination have been found on the shelves in seven stores in Hudson County, New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram and Acting Consumer Affairs Director Larry DeMarzo announced today.

Investigators from the Division of Consumers Affairs and inspectors from the Hudson County and municipal health departments jointly visited 197 retail stores since last Wednesday. Hudson County has been the focus since recalled products were found on the shelves of a Union City store.

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“We remain concerned and vigilant because these items continue to be available for purchase and consumption despite the voluntary recall notice issued in September,” Attorney General Milgram said. “This continues to be a public health issue. Both retailers and consumers should check their freezers for these recalled products.”

The seven stores were the Topps-branded products were found are as follows:

* Bargain World (aka Stop 1 Food Mart)
715 New York Avenue, Union City
* Lucky Food Center (aka Boca Chica Mini Market)
6501 Park Avenue, West New York
* Wayne Gusto Meat Market
190 Ocean Avenue, Jersey City
* Super Good Luck Grocery
91 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City
* 8 New Brothers Super World
61 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City
* La Mia Grocery
503A Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City
* BergenLine Supermarket
8107 Bergenline Avenue, North Bergen

“With the assistance of Hudson County and municipal health officials, our investigators are continuing to check stores,” Acting Director DeMarzo said. “We’re also working to identify other areas where these recalled products were distributed.”

Recalled items found on store shelves have been pulled and are being held as evidence or have been destroyed.

Greater New York Frozen Food Company has provided the names and locations of retailers who purchased products on the recall list from them after the company was served with a subpoena last week.

The recalled products were produced by Topps with a "sell by date" or "best if used by date" that falls between September 25, 2007 and September 25, 2008. This information may be found on the back panel of the package. All recalled products will have a USDA establishment number of EST 9748, which is located on the back panel of the package and/or in the USDA legend.

The complete list of recalled products can be viewed on the Division of Consumer Affairs Web site, www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/press/topps4.htm

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 exposure could include stomach cramps and diarrhea. Bloody diarrhea may develop. E. coli disease sometimes leads to a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). If you exhibited any of these symptoms within 3 to 5 days of consuming any of the products specified above, seek medical attention immediately.

Source: New Jersey Attorney General