Kroger recalls Private Selection roast beef from its supermarkets

<p>The Kroger Co. is recalling Private Selection roast beef from stores it operates in 20 states after a sample taken from a Kroger delicatessen counter in Atlanta tested positive for a bacteria that can cause sickness and, in some cases, death.</p><p>The Atlanta sample, taken by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, Kroger officials said Tuesday.</p><p>Eating food contaminated with listeria monocytogenes can cause high fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. The infection may be more serious or even fatal among young children, frail or elderly people, or those with weak immune systems.</p><p>The roast beef was distributed through the deli service counters of Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Texas.</p><p>The recall also includes Dillons stores in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma; Bakers stores in Nebraska; Gerbes stores in Missouri; Hilander stores in Illinois; Kessel stores in Michigan; and Owens and Pay Less stores in Indiana.</p><p>The product is being removed from store shelves. Kroger officials said they had not received any customer complaints of illness related to the roast beef.</p><p>Customers who bought the product this month and who have it in their refrigerators should return it to the store for a refund, Kroger officials said.</p><p>Private Selection Angus roast beef and Private Selection Cajun roast beef are not affected by the recall, Kroger said.</p><p>Kroger, based in Cincinnati, is one of the nations largest grocers with 2,530 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states operating under the names Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smiths, Frys and Frys Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. The company also operates food processing plants, convenience stores, jewelry stores and supermarket fuel centers.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>HASH(0x286fff0)</p>

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