Beef recall puts top U.S. hamburger maker out of business

Bombay News.Net
Saturday 6th October, 2007

The largest producer of hamburgers in the United States, and probably the world, closed its doors Friday.

Topps Meat Company announced that because of the economic impact of the second-largest beef recall in U.S. history, involving more than 21.7 million pounds of ground beef products, it is forced to close its Elizabeth plant and go out of business effective Friday.

“This is tragic for all concerned,” Anthony D’Urso, Chief Operating Officer of Topps, said Friday. “In one week we have gone from the largest U.S. manufacturer of frozen hamburgers to a company that cannot overcome the economic reality of a recall this large.'

'We sincerely regret the impact this will have on our employees, our customers and suppliers, and the community. Most of all, we regret that our products have been linked by public health
agencies to recently reported illnesses. We hope and pray for the full recovery of those
individuals.”

A small number of the company's employees will be kept on at the Elizabeth plant for an indefinite time to assist the USDA in its ongoing investigation and to handle administrative matters, including ensuring the effectiveness of the recall.

“We want to thank our loyal employees and customers who have supported us throughout
the 67 years in which Topps Meat has been in business,” D’Urso said.

“Topps has always prided itself on providing the utmost quality and safety and never had a recall in our history until now.'

'This has been a shocking and sobering experience for everyone,” he added.

Topps Meat Company was founded in 1940 and was the leading manufacturer and supplier of
premium branded frozen hamburgers and other portion controlled meat for supermarkets
and mass merchandisers across the United States.

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