WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for approximately 14,800 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

The beef was produced by Fort Worth-based Texas American Food Service Corporation, doing business as American Fresh Foods. This public health alert was initiated after a trailer containing the products was reported stolen by the company.

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

The consumer products subject to this public health alert include:
2-pound approximate weight packages of "73/27 GROUND BEEF" bearing a sell-by date of "12.30.07"
2-pound approximate weight packages of "80/20 GROUND BEEF CHUCK" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"
1-pound approximate weight packages of "85/15 GROUND BEEF ROUND" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"
1-pound approximate weight packages of "90/10 GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"
1-pound approximate weight packages of "96/04 EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF, 4% FAT" bearing a sell-by date of "12.31.07"

Each package label bears the establishment number "EST. 13116" inside the USDA mark of inspection and the company name "American Fresh Foods, Ft. Worth, TX 76102" below the nutrition information. Each package has a net weight of approximately 1 to 2 pounds.

Bulk product also subject to this health alert include:
40-pound "net wt." box of "73/27 100% GROUND BEEF; REWORK MAP"
260-pound "net wt." combo bin of "CHUCK 100% GROUND BEEF; REWORK MAP"
370-pound "net wt." combo bin of "SIRLOIN 100% GROUND BEEF; REWORK"

Each bulk product label bears the establishment number "EST. 13116" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a date of "12-19-07" with the production information filled in by hand.

The consumer and bulk ground beef products were produced on Dec. 19, 2007.

According to American Fresh Foods’ officials, the stolen meat had been placed in a refrigerated truck and held on the plant’s property. The product, a portion of which had been segregated as possibly affected with E. coli O157:H7, was being removed from fresh commercial sale.

"Consumers need to know that our meat products being sold through normal retail channels, such as grocery stores, are safe. Our primary concern, however, is for the safety of those people who may be persuaded to buy beef products under questionable circumstances," says Timothy Biela, Chief Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer for American Fresh Foods. "Our first priority is their safety. We do not know how this product has been handled since it left our control. The stolen truck had only a limited supply of refrigeration fuel."

American Fresh Foods is working with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials and local and state law enforcement authorities to issue a public health alert and to recover the stolen product and vehicle. The vehicle bears an "Xtra Lease" logo on both side panels toward the rear of the trailer, is a 2000 Great Dane model with the trailer number Q61232. The truck has a Maine license plate number 1925071.

Officials said consumers should check for these products in their homes and should not eat these products. Immediately contact the company if unopened packages are found and do not throw them away intact.

Consumers with questions can call American Fresh Food's toll free at 1-800-724-1136. The toll free customer service line will be available throughout the week.

An additional resource is the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854, available in English and Spanish from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday) or visit fsis.usda.gov.

No illnesses have been reported. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a physician.