WASHINGTON, April 28, 2003—Umpqua Indian Development Corp., doing business as Umpqua Indian Foods, a Canyonville, Ore., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 180 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall are 50 to 60 lb. boxes of “UMPQUA INDIAN FOODS, GROUND BEEF.” Each box may contain up to eight 5-lb. chubs. Each box bears the date code “L42203” as well as the establishment number “EST. 20984” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on April 22 and distributed to a casino in Canyonville, Ore.

“Because of the potential hazard of foodborne illness from consumption of meat products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, diners may wish to ask if their meals were prepared with the recalled product,” said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological sampling.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

;Media with questions about the recall may contact Ron Doan, company director of operations, at (541) 677-5569. Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Dania Wheatley, company general manager, at (866) 766-4372.

Consumers with other food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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