BOISE, Idaho -- The USDA announced this morning a voluntary recall by Verns Moses Lake Meats of raw beef that may have been exposed to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Information For Consumers More information on BSE and this recall may be found at: www.usda.gov Customers may also call the USDA at 1.888.MPHOTLINE

Pursuant to this recall notice, Interstate Meats, an Oregon-based ground beef supplier, notified Albertsons and several other Northwest retailers that certain product provided by Interstate meat is subject to this recall.

In response to this voluntary recall and after discussions with the USDA, Albertsons has removed these beef products from its Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho stores. There are no Albertsons stores outside of these three states that are affected by the recall.

Albertsons is asking any customers in Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho, who purchased the following products, to return them to their local Albertsons store.

-- Pre-packaged 1 lb. package of 85% lean (15% fat) ground beef with a sell-by-date of December 25, 2003

-- Pre-packaged 2 lb. package of 85% lean (15% fat) ground beef with a sell-by-date of December 25, 2003

-- Pre-packaged 1 lb. package of 85% lean (15% fat) ground beef patty with a sell-by-date of December 25, 2003

-- 91% leanest (9% fat) ground beef purchased from the Butcher Block Service Case between the dates of December 16, 2003 and December 23, 2003.

Customers who are concerned about the safety or quality of any ground beef purchased at Albertsons in Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho may return it for a full refund at any Albertsons store.

The USDA stated that there is an extremely low likelihood that the beef being voluntarily recalled contains any infectious agent, and that the product is being recalled out of an abundance of caution. The USDA remains confident in the safety of our food supply and says that the risk to human health from BSE is extremely low.

Albertsons is one of the world's largest food and drug retailers, with annual revenues of approximately $36 billion. Based in Boise, Idaho, the Company employs more than 200,000 employees and operates approximately 2,300 retail stores in 31 states across the United States, under banners including Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Albertsons-Osco, Albertsons-Sav-on, Sav-on Drugs, Osco Drug, Max Foods, Super Saver.