The following products are subject to recall:

Retail Products:
. 2-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 8 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 12 08." UPC #74701-00065
. 2-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 3 OZ., 10 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 12 08." UPC #74701-00125
. 3-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 6 OZ. PUB Burgers." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08." UPC #74701-00045
. 3-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 16 Hamburgers." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08." UPC #74701- 00005.
. 5-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 20 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08," "JUL 12 08" or "JUL 23 08." UPC #74701-00055.
. 8-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 32 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08," "JUL 12 08" or JUL 23 08." UPC #74701-00185.
. 3-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 12 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08," "JUL 12 08" or "JUL 23 08." UPC #74701-00025.

Foodservice Products:
. 10-pound boxes of "BUTCHER'S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 6 OZ. FLAT, 27 PIECES." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "BUTCHER'S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 4 OZ. (4-1), 40 PIECES." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "KOHLER FOODS 4 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, 40 PCS." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "KOHLER FOODS 6 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, 27 PCS." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "KOHLER FOODS 8 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, 20 PCS." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT, 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGERS 80/20, 8 OZ. FLAT, 20 COUNT." Each box bears a packedon date of "JUN 22 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT, 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGERS 85/15, 6 OZ. FLAT, 27 COUNT." Each box bears a packedon date of "JUN 22 07."
. 10-pound boxes of "Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS 5 OZ. (1/2")." Each box bears a sell-by-date of "JUN 22 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "Topps HAMBURGERS, 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 12 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 8 OZ. (Pub Burger)." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 4 OZ. (4-1) Homestyle." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ. FLAT, 20 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."
. 10-pound boxes of "WESTSIDE 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5 OZ FLAT, 32 COUNT."

The packages also bear the establishment number "Est. 9748" on the back panel and it may be inside the USDA mark of inspection as well.

These products should no longer be available in grocery stores. However, they may be in consumers' freezers and it is important that consumers look for these products. If you have a product marked with the above information, please remove the sell-by date and UPC code and send it to: Attn: Recall Coordinator, Topps Meat Company LLC, P.O. Box 219, 1161 E. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 for a full refund.

 

It is important to destroy the remaining product immediately.

The products were produced on June 22, 2007, July 13, 2007 and July 23, 2007 and were distributed to retail grocery stores and food service institutions nationwide.

The problem was discovered through sampling done by the New York Department of Health as part of their coordinated investigation with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention into several reported illnesses. This is the company's first recall in its 65-year history.

"First and foremost, Topps Meat Company is concerned with the safety and welfare of all our customers "“ and we are deeply concerned for those who became ill," according to Vice President of Operations Geoffrey Livermore. "We treat all of our customers as part of the Topps family, which is why we are so adamant about following proper procedures. We have, and will continue to,
cooperate with the USDA to ensure customer safety and prevent future occurrences. Topps is committed to utilizing new technology, science and processing procedures that prove beneficial to the quality and safety of our products."

E. coli contamination can be prevented by cooking the product correctly. Topps Meat Company advises all consumers to cook its frozen hamburgers thoroughly until internal temperatures reach 160 degrees F (71.1 degrees C).

 

Topps customers can find more information, along with proper cooking instructions, at www.toppsmeat.com