Monogram Food Solutions LLC, a Memphis-based manufacturer of value-added processed meats, announced it has entered into a contract with American Foods Group LLC, to purchase its meat snack business, including the Martinsville, Va., production facility, and the rights to the Bull’s, Hannah’s, O’Brien’s and Dakota brand names. Following the satisfaction of all contingencies, closing is expected to take place around the first of September.

All employees of the Martinsville production facility will be retained by Monogram. Upon completion of the acquisition, Monogram plans to expand production capacity and capabilities at the Martinsville facility, including the addition of several ovens, and plans to hire up to an additional 120 employees as production expands.

“Like our other completed and announced acquisitions this year, this planned purchase will enhance both our production capacity and the growth of our position as a leader in offering top-quality regional and nationally distributed meat products and brands that retailers and customers know and trust,” said Karl Schledwitz, chairman and CEO of Monogram.

This acquisition by Monogram follows the purchase this May of Al Pete Meats’ business, the Pete’s Pride brand name, and its production facility in Muncie, Ind.

“The Bull’s, Hannah’s, O’Brien’s and Dakota brand names each have strong consumer followings, and we look forward to expanding them under our Monogram leadership,” said Wes Jackson, president of Monogram Food Solutions. “In addition, the Martinsville production facility will be a good addition to our current production facilities in Chandler, Minn., and Muncie, Ind. This family of facilities gives us great flexibility and capacity for both our own branded value-added processed meats and for our growing private label work for strategic partners across the country.”

Source: Monogram Food Solutions

Sterling Pacific Meat recalls ground beef

Sterling Pacific Meat Co., a City of Commerce, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,516 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

The products subject to recall include packages of Fatburger and Stock Yards brand ground beef patties. The ground beef products were produced on May 18, 2009, and were distributed at the wholesale level to food service companies, who further distributed the product to restaurants in California and Arizona. FSIS has no reason to believe that these products are available for sale in commerce.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a review of the establishment's records. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

Source: FSIS