Kroger, others recall beef in more than a dozen states

CINCINNATI -- Krogerkr on Tuesday recalled ground beef sold under its store brands in more than a dozen states.

The meat was produced by JBS Swift Beef of Greeley, Colo., which voluntarily expanded an earlier beef recall because of possible E. coli contamination.

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.

Kroger says packages with "sell by" dates of April 27 to June 1 are included. They were available in Kroger stores in the Cincinnati-Dayton region that includes northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana; and in western Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Illinois and eastern Missouri.

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 included in the recall.

Kroger is notifying customers who use its loyalty cards by telephone and e-mail alerts. All customers can return the recalled beef for a refund.

Kroger operates 2,475 supermarkets and multi-department 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.

Some other grocery retailers are also affected, such as Hannaford Supermarkets based in Maine. It is urging customers in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont to check freezers for the recalled beef.

Spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said Tuesday that 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 customers with questions can call 1-800-632-6900.