Consumer Advisory: State Agriculture Director Issues Food Safety Alert for Potato Salad

August 31, 2007 -- Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Robert Boggs in conjunction with The Kroger Co. today advises consumers not to consume Kroger brand Mustard or Southern-Style potato salad with a "Best If Used By" date of Sept. 5, 2007, because it may contain E. coli O157:H7.

ODA’s Consumer Analytical Laboratory tested a sample of the Kroger brand Mustard or Southern-style potato salad collected during routine food safety sampling, and found it positive for E. coli O157:H7, a foodborne pathogen.

To date, no illnesses have been reported, and additional samples analyzed by a certified, thirdparty laboratory contracted by Kroger have tested negative for E. coli O157:H7. As a precautionary measure, The Kroger Co. has removed the product from sale. The company encourages consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for this specific product and, if found, to return it to the store for a full refund.

For more information regarding this product withdrawal, please visit http://www.kroger.com/.
Through ODA’s Division of Food Safety, the department helps assure consumers are provided foods, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, and cosmetics that are safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented. Random, routine testing at the department's Consumer Analytical Laboratory helps identify potentially dangerous or adulterated products. In addition to advising consumers, the department has notified the Food and Drug Administration and local health departments.