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{{short description|Defunct meat processing company}}
'''Topps Meat Company''' was a privately owned [[family company]] founded in 1940,<ref>
'''Topps Meat Company''' (Topps Meat Company [[Limited liability company|LLC]]) was a privately owned [[family company]] founded in 1940 by Benjamin Sachs in [[Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. The company later relocated to [[Elizabeth, New Jersey]].<ref Name=NYT_2>
{{cite news
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/us/06topps.html
|title=After Extensive Beef Recall, Topps Goes Out of Business
|date=October 6, 2007
|accessdate=2007-10-06
| work=The New York Times
| first1=Ken
| last1=Belson
| first2=Kareem
| last2=Fahim
}}</ref><ref name=about>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070606115835/www.toppsmeat.com/about.html
|url=http://www.toppsmeat.com/about.html
|title=Archive.org, "About Topps"
|title="About Topps"
|accessdate=2007-10-05
|accessdate=2007-10-05
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606115835/http://www.toppsmeat.com/about.html
}}</ref>
|archivedate=2007-06-06
headquartered in [[Elizabeth, New Jersey]]. The company produced and distributed frozen ground beef patties and other meat products. In 2003, the company was purchased by [[Strategic Investment and Holdings]], an investment firm.<ref>
}}</ref><ref name=NYT>
{{cite web
{{cite news
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/us/05cnd-topps.html?hp
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/us/05cnd-topps.html?hp
|title=Meat Company Going Out of Business After Recall
|title=Meat Company Going Out of Business After Recall
|accessdate=2007-10-05
|accessdate=2007-10-05
| work=The New York Times
}}</ref>
| first1=Ken
| last1=Belson
| first2=Kareem
| last2=Fahim
| date=October 5, 2007
}}</ref> The company produced and distributed frozen ground beef patties and other meat products processed at its {{convert|3000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} plant in Elizabeth and posted about $8.8 million a year in sales, according to information reported by [[Dun & Bradstreet]].<ref name=about/><ref name=NJBIZ>[http://www.njbiz.com/weekly_article_reg.asp?aID=31535304.6631693.937313.8317012.4212595.804&aID2=72092 NJBIZ] article "Potentially Deadly Threat Led To Recall -
Topps Meat must re-evaluate sanitation and process controls" published September 8, 2007</ref> In 2003, the company was purchased by Strategic Investment and Holdings, an investment firm based in [[Buffalo, New York]] and by 2007 it was "one of the country’s largest manufacturers of frozen hamburgers."<ref name=NYT/> In 2007 the company ceased operations following [[Escherichia coli O157:H7]] (E. coli) contamination of products and the ensuing recall.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Belson|first1=Ken|last2=Fahim|first2=Kareem|date=2007-10-06|title=After Extensive Beef Recall, Topps Goes Out of Business|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/us/06topps.html|access-date=2020-09-14|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=Topps Meat closes 6 days after huge recall|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=3698099&page=1|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-14|website=ABC News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Topps Meat shuts down after recall - Oct. 5, 2007|url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/10/05/news/companies/topps_recall/index.htm|access-date=2020-09-14|website=money.cnn.com}}</ref>


==Ownership==
==2007 meat recall==
According to the ''[[New York Times]]'':
21.7 million pounds of frozen ground [[beef]] products produced between September 25, 2006, and September 25, 2007 by the Topps Meat Company were recalled in September 2007 due to [[Escherichia coli O157:H7]] contamination concerns based on product samples testing positive and reported illnesses in August and September from eating the contaminated products.<ref>
:"Topps opened in 1940 in Manhattan. The founder, Benjamin Sachs, later sold the company to his son, Steven Sachs, according to Ann Sachs, the founder’s former daughter-in-law. A few years before the company moved to New Jersey, Joseph D’Urso became vice president. After Mr. D’Urso died in 2003, the company was bought by Strategic Investment and Holdings."<ref Name=NYT_2/>
{{cite web

|url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904120/posts
==Timeline==
|title=Topps Meat Recall Expanded (Full list included)
*1940 - Founded<ref name=NYT/>
|published=September 29, 2007
*2003 - Purchased by Strategic Investment and Holdings<ref Name=NYT_2/>
|accessdate=2007-10-05
*2005
}}</ref> A [[class-action lawsuit]] was filed against Topps over the contaminated meat and its consequences.<ref>
**[[USDA]] found that the plant had received meat tainted with E. coli<ref Name=NYT_2/>
{{cite web
**Topps settled a $1.7 million accidental arm amputation lawsuit<ref Name=NYT_2/>
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/nyregion/04topps.html
**Topps was sued after a consumer became ill from eating a Topps hamburger.<ref Name=NYT_2/>
*2007
**July 5 - first illness linked to recall<ref Name=NYT_2/>
**July 8 - second illness case <ref Name=NYT_2/>
**September 7 - [[USDA]]'s first positive test results for E. coli contamination<ref Name=NYT_2/>
**September 25 - initial recall of 331,582 pounds of frozen hamburger patties<ref Name=NYT_2/>
**September 29 - with additional evidence of "inadequate sanitation and process controls" and 25 illnesses under investigation in eight states, the [[USDA]] expanded the recall to a total of 21.7 million pounds of Topps beef.<ref Name=NYT_2/><ref name=NJBIZ/>
**October 4 - [[class-action lawsuit]] filed<ref Name=lawsuit>
{{cite news
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/nyregion/04topps.html
|title=Class action lawsuit filed against producer of beef
|title=Class action lawsuit filed against producer of beef
|accessdate=2007-10-05
|accessdate=2007-10-05
| work=The New York Times
| first=Kareem
| last=Fahim
| date=October 4, 2007
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
**October 4 - [[USDA]]'s "notice of intended enforcement"<ref Name=NYT_2/>
On October 5, 2007, Topps ceased operations and went out of business due to the economic hardship caused by the beef recall.<ref>
**October 5, 2:35 pm - Topps Meat ceases operations<ref Name=NJ>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/10/topps_meat_co_folds_after_mass.html
|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/10/topps_meat_co_folds_after_mass.html
|title=Topps meat company folds
|title=Topps Meat Co. folds after beef recall
|date=October 5, 2007
|accessdate=2007-10-06
}}</ref>

==Controversy==
21.7 million pounds of frozen ground [[beef]] products produced between September 25, 2006, and September 25, 2007, by the Topps Meat Company were recalled in September 2007 due to [[Escherichia coli O157:H7]] contamination concerns. At the time, this was the second-largest beef recall in U.S. history, after [[Hudson Foods Company]]'s recall of 25 million pounds of ground beef in 1997.<ref Name=NYT_2/><ref Name=NJ/>
Product samples subsequently tested positive for contamination with E. coli.
The first reported case of illness linked to the contamination occurred on July 5, 2007.<ref Name=NYT_2/>

On October 4, 2007, a [[class-action lawsuit]] was filed against Topps Meat over the contaminated meat and its consequences.<ref>
{{cite news
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/nyregion/04topps.html
|title=Class action lawsuit filed against producer of beef
|accessdate=2007-10-05
|accessdate=2007-10-05
| work=The New York Times
| first=Kareem
| last=Fahim
| date=October 4, 2007
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
Also on October 4, 2007, the [[USDA]] served Topps Meat with a "notice of intended enforcement" (which is a move just short of suspending the rest of the company’s meat production) because of "inadequate process controls" also in the company’s non-ground beef production processes.<ref Name=NYT_2/> On October 5, 2007, Topps Meat ceased operations; 77 workers were laid off while about 10 others remained employed to assist the [[USDA]]'s investigation.<ref Name=NJ/>

"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," Anthony D'Urso, chief operating officer, said in a statement.<ref Name=NYT_2/>

[[USDA]]'s first positive test results for E. coli contamination came back September 7, 2007, but they waited for confirming tests before ordering a recall 18 days later.<ref Name=NYT_2/> Criticism of that 18-day delay in seeking the recall of millions of pounds of tainted Topps Meat ground beef caused the [[USDA]] to promise to speed up warnings about contaminated meat in the future.<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5igYUJVjgwiiOrvpL9-faEYHGJ4DAD8S2MI380 Associated Press] article "USDA Defends 18-Day Wait on Beef Recall" by HOPE YEN and JEFFREY GOLD published October 5, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008132756/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5igYUJVjgwiiOrvpL9-faEYHGJ4DAD8S2MI380 |date=October 8, 2007 }}</ref>

As of October 7, 2007, 29 people in eight states had fallen ill after consuming hamburgers made by Topps Meat Co.<ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-nat_recap_bdoct07,1,7416370.story Chicago Tribune] article ''NATIONAL NEWS RECAP: TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK'' published October 7, 2007</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of United States foodborne illness outbreaks]]


==Sources and notes==
==Sources and notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==External links==
*[http://www.toppsmeat.com/index.html Topps Meat Company home page]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060519084730/http://www.toppsmeat.com/index.html Topps Meat Company home page], from [[Internet Archive]] copy as of May 19, 2006
{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=2022-07-24|en-Topps_Meat_Company-article.ogg}}


[[Category:Agriculture companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct agriculture companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Companies based in Union County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Food companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Food manufacturers of the United States]]
[[Category:2007 disestablishments]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1940]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1940]]
[[Category:Food recalls]]
[[Category:Companies disestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:Defunct manufacturing companies based in New Jersey]]
[[Category:History of Elizabeth, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Meat companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1940]]

Latest revision as of 17:36, 13 April 2024

Topps Meat Company (Topps Meat Company LLC) was a privately owned family company founded in 1940 by Benjamin Sachs in Manhattan, New York. The company later relocated to Elizabeth, New Jersey.[1][2][3] The company produced and distributed frozen ground beef patties and other meat products processed at its 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) plant in Elizabeth and posted about $8.8 million a year in sales, according to information reported by Dun & Bradstreet.[2][4] In 2003, the company was purchased by Strategic Investment and Holdings, an investment firm based in Buffalo, New York and by 2007 it was "one of the country’s largest manufacturers of frozen hamburgers."[3] In 2007 the company ceased operations following Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) contamination of products and the ensuing recall.[5][6][7]

Ownership

[edit]

According to the New York Times:

"Topps opened in 1940 in Manhattan. The founder, Benjamin Sachs, later sold the company to his son, Steven Sachs, according to Ann Sachs, the founder’s former daughter-in-law. A few years before the company moved to New Jersey, Joseph D’Urso became vice president. After Mr. D’Urso died in 2003, the company was bought by Strategic Investment and Holdings."[1]

Timeline

[edit]
  • 1940 - Founded[3]
  • 2003 - Purchased by Strategic Investment and Holdings[1]
  • 2005
    • USDA found that the plant had received meat tainted with E. coli[1]
    • Topps settled a $1.7 million accidental arm amputation lawsuit[1]
    • Topps was sued after a consumer became ill from eating a Topps hamburger.[1]
  • 2007
    • July 5 - first illness linked to recall[1]
    • July 8 - second illness case [1]
    • September 7 - USDA's first positive test results for E. coli contamination[1]
    • September 25 - initial recall of 331,582 pounds of frozen hamburger patties[1]
    • September 29 - with additional evidence of "inadequate sanitation and process controls" and 25 illnesses under investigation in eight states, the USDA expanded the recall to a total of 21.7 million pounds of Topps beef.[1][4]
    • October 4 - class-action lawsuit filed[8]
    • October 4 - USDA's "notice of intended enforcement"[1]
    • October 5, 2:35 pm - Topps Meat ceases operations[9]

Controversy

[edit]

21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef products produced between September 25, 2006, and September 25, 2007, by the Topps Meat Company were recalled in September 2007 due to Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination concerns. At the time, this was the second-largest beef recall in U.S. history, after Hudson Foods Company's recall of 25 million pounds of ground beef in 1997.[1][9] Product samples subsequently tested positive for contamination with E. coli. The first reported case of illness linked to the contamination occurred on July 5, 2007.[1]

On October 4, 2007, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Topps Meat over the contaminated meat and its consequences.[10] Also on October 4, 2007, the USDA served Topps Meat with a "notice of intended enforcement" (which is a move just short of suspending the rest of the company’s meat production) because of "inadequate process controls" also in the company’s non-ground beef production processes.[1] On October 5, 2007, Topps Meat ceased operations; 77 workers were laid off while about 10 others remained employed to assist the USDA's investigation.[9]

"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," Anthony D'Urso, chief operating officer, said in a statement.[1]

USDA's first positive test results for E. coli contamination came back September 7, 2007, but they waited for confirming tests before ordering a recall 18 days later.[1] Criticism of that 18-day delay in seeking the recall of millions of pounds of tainted Topps Meat ground beef caused the USDA to promise to speed up warnings about contaminated meat in the future.[11]

As of October 7, 2007, 29 people in eight states had fallen ill after consuming hamburgers made by Topps Meat Co.[12]

See also

[edit]

Sources and notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Belson, Ken; Fahim, Kareem (October 6, 2007). "After Extensive Beef Recall, Topps Goes Out of Business". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  2. ^ a b ""About Topps"". Archived from the original on 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
  3. ^ a b c Belson, Ken; Fahim, Kareem (October 5, 2007). "Meat Company Going Out of Business After Recall". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
  4. ^ a b NJBIZ article "Potentially Deadly Threat Led To Recall - Topps Meat must re-evaluate sanitation and process controls" published September 8, 2007
  5. ^ Belson, Ken; Fahim, Kareem (2007-10-06). "After Extensive Beef Recall, Topps Goes Out of Business". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  6. ^ "Topps Meat closes 6 days after huge recall". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  7. ^ "Topps Meat shuts down after recall - Oct. 5, 2007". money.cnn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  8. ^ Fahim, Kareem (October 4, 2007). "Class action lawsuit filed against producer of beef". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
  9. ^ a b c "Topps Meat Co. folds after beef recall". October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  10. ^ Fahim, Kareem (October 4, 2007). "Class action lawsuit filed against producer of beef". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
  11. ^ Associated Press article "USDA Defends 18-Day Wait on Beef Recall" by HOPE YEN and JEFFREY GOLD published October 5, 2007 Archived October 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Chicago Tribune article NATIONAL NEWS RECAP: TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK published October 7, 2007
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