The bites/barfblog French team of correspondent Albert Amgar and Manhattan (Kansas) translators Abby Herald and Amy Hubbell have provided news of the latest E. coli related recall from France, this time in Carrefour Discount Frozen Hamburger Patties (right).
Product recalled by: Carrefour
Department: Food and Drinks
Brand: Carrefour
Product: Lot Number/Serial Number: The aim of this recall is for lot number IE 565 EC with a “best by” date of August 5th, 2010.
Reason for recall: Discovery of contamination by the E.coli bacteria
Recommendation: Consumers having bought this product are asked not to consume it.
Place of recall: Consumers who have purchased the product are asked to bring it back to the store where they will be reimbursed.
Additional information: Carrefour states that they have received no consumer complaints. According to the distributer this bacteria is destroyed at a temperature of 65° C (149° F) and the hamburgers are of no risk if they have been thoroughly cooked. The products related to this recall have been removed from Carrefour, Carrefour Market and Champion stores.
Consumer Hotline: For more information, call the toll free hotline 0 805 90 80 70
Again, the recommended cooking temperature seems low, and it’s really risky to say there’s no-risk with any product. Cross-contamination in any food preparation area is a huge issue. That’s why everyone tries to get the pathogens out, rather than blaming the cook.