No Yuma illnesses in beef recall

Lean ground beef in Yuma-area Fry's Food stores was recalled this week due to E. coli contamination, but there are no reported local cases of food poisoning.

The recall for Kroger Co. beef took place in Fry's stores across Arizona and in grocery stores in other states as well.

JBS Swift Beef Co. of Greeley, Colo., voluntarily expanded a beef recall because of possible E. coli contamination. Kroger said the suspect beef was sold under its store brands in more than a dozen states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said an investigation by its Food Safety and Inspection Service of 24 illnesses in multiple states prompted Swift to re-examine its food safety system, leading to the recall.

Kevin Tunell, spokesman for Yuma County, said that there were no reported illnesses in Yuma County related to the tainted beef. Information was not available Wednesday about related cases throughout Arizona.

Kroger said packages with ‘‘sell by’’ dates of April 27 to June 1 are included.

Kroger-owned Food 4 Less stores in the Chicago area, Fry’s stores in Arizona and Smith’s stores in Arizona, Utah and other Western states are also included in the recall.

Joellen Lynn, Fry's Food spokeswoman, said there are 121 Fry's stores in Arizona. She said that a limited amount of the tainted beef was sold, and all area consumers who purchased beef using the Fry's VIP card were notified of the recall.

For those not notified, signs have been posted at every store to warn customers of the recall. Anyone who brings the beef back to the store will receive a full refund, she said.

Kroger spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said Tuesday she wasn’t aware of any Kroger customers reporting illness from the beef.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and, in the most severe cases, kidney failure.

Kroger operates 2,475 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 31 states, under two dozen local banners including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC and City Market.

---
The Associated Press contributed to this report.