Customer Ground Beef Q&A
Ukrop’s Super Markets

Seven cases of E.coli have been confirmed in Minnesota. Ground beef purchased at one retail chain is being investigated by the Minnesota Department of Health as the potential link among all cases. As a result of the investigation, PM Beef Holdings, the chain’s supplier of ground beef, is voluntarily recalling potentially affected product, due to possible contamination with E.coli O157:H7.

Ukrop’s has not been notified of any E.coli cases in Virginia associated with ground beef; however, we receive ground beef from the same supplier as the affected chain in Minnesota. On Thursday morning, May 10, 2007 Ukrop’s took proactive measures by removing all potentially affected product from our shelves.

Following are some questions that you may have regarding this recall. Should you have questions not answered below, please feel free to speak to any General Manager, Area Manager or Meat Manager at Ukrop’s. If you need further information, please call our Customer Helpline at (804) 340-3004 or 1-800-868-2270 Monday– Friday from 8am – 5pm.

Why has Ukrop’s pulled some fresh ground beef and products made from ground beef from its stores?
The USDA issued a voluntary recall notice on Thursday night, May 10, 2007 on beef trim processed by PM Beef Holdings due to a potential link to seven cases of E.coli contamination in Minnesota. Ukrop’s receives ground beef from PM Beef, and learned of the potential situation prior to the official recall. On Thursday morning, May 10, 2007, Ukrop’s proactively pulled ground beef from its shelves as a precaution.

At this time, Ukrop’s has not received communication from the Virginia Department of Health regarding cases of E.coli linked to Ukrop’s or ground beef in our area.

When did Ukrop’s pull the product?
Ukrop’s notified all stores via our Critical Alert System at 6:40am on Thursday, May 10, 2007 that potentially affected ground beef product should be removed from the shelf immediately. This was approximately 17 hours before the USDA released voluntary recall information.

What is the recalled product?

• Fresh ground beef with the Ukrop’s All-Natural and Steakhouse Premium Angus labels- sell by dates of April 14 through May 12, 2007

• Ground beef patties, including seasoned burgers, with the Ukrop’s All-Natural and Steakhouse Premium Angus labels- sell by dates of April 14 through May12, 2007

• Frozen Ukrop’s All-Natural beef patties- production codes 7096 through 7124

Are you offering customers a refund on product?
Customers may return recalled product to any Ukrop’s location for a full refund. In addition, customers that feel that they may have potentially affected product but have removed it from its original packaging before placing it in the freezer may return that product as well. A receipt is not required to obtain a refund.

Prepared foods from Ukrop’s Kitchen is still being sold in your stores. Why has that product not been removed?
Prepared food from Ukrop’s Kitchen is not affected by the current recall, as the kitchen uses beef from Creek Stone Farms in its product. The beef used by the kitchen is cooked prior to distribution to our manufacturing facility.

Has E.coli been confirmed in ground beef sold at Ukrop’s?
Our supplier, PM Beef, is voluntarily recalling ground beef that was processed with sell by dates of April 14, 2007 through May 12, 2007 due to possible E.coli contamination.  Ukrop’s has not been notified by the Virginia Department of Health that any cases of E.coli have been linked to ground beef sold at Ukrop’s.

Who is the supplier for the potentially affected product?
Ukrop’s receives fresh ground beef and some frozen patties from PM Beef.

Does PM Beef supply product to other retailers in Virginia?
No.

Why is Ukrop’s selling ground beef today?
Ground beef products currently available at Ukrop’s are not involved in this recall.

What is E.coli?
E.coli is a naturally occurring bacteria. There are many types of E. coli bacteria, however, only certain types cause foodborne illness. The disease-causing foodborne E. coli most commonly found in this country is called O157:H7, which refers to chemical compounds found on the bacterium’s surface. Cattle are the main sources of E. coli O157:H7, but these bacteria also can be found in other domestic and wild mammals.

What measures does PM Beef take to ensure the safety of its product?
E.coli is a naturally occurring bacteria that is primarily found in cattle, but can also be found in other domestic and wild animals. As a food safety measure, product distributed by PM Beef goes through three intervention and testing phases during various stages of processing, prior to being sent to retail outlets.