Wal-Mart announced today the voluntary recovery of two ground beef products.

Wal-Mart has removed all three-pound bag Great Value frozen beef patties, with case code date 2002 106 A1P and 2002 106 B1P, from the sales floor. Wal-Mart is asking customers who purchased Great Value frozen beef patties with these code dates to please return the product to any Wal-Mart for a full refund or replacement. Code dates can be found on the bottom seam of the bag.

Specific fresh ground beef in five-pound rolls, bulk and patties that customers may have in their freezers at home may also be affected. The specific code information on those products is:

• Establishment number 244G. Fresh ground beef in plastic trays. Sell by dates of May 2, May 3, May 13, May 15 and July 8, 2002
• Establishment number 492. Fresh ground beef in plastic trays. Sell by dates of June 1-5, 27, 28 and 29, 2002
• Establishment number 492. 5-lb. roll ground beef. Sell by dates of June 7-11, July 4-6

The fresh ground beef products have not been available on Wal-Mart shelves for more than a week but customers may have placed these products in their freezers. Again, customers are asked to please return any affected product to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund or replacement.

SAM’S CLUB is also voluntarily recovering two ground beef products. The products are 90 percent fresh ground beef and 90 percent fresh ground beef patties purchased with sell-by dates of May 17, 2002, to July 19, 2002. SAM’S CLUB is asking members who purchased these products during these dates to please return the product to any SAM’S CLUB for a full refund or replacement.

Food safety is a top priority at Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB and this recovery serves as a reminder to our customers and members of the importance of proper food handling and preparation. According to the USDA, ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with these products.