Fears of a possible link to salmonella outbreak, has led Safeway Inc. to recall ground beef produced by Beef Packers Inc., a Fresno, Calif.-based subsidiary of Cargill Inc., from all Arizona stores, including several in New Mexico.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service Friday, the Valley grocery store chain is recalling approximately 22,723-lbs. of ground beef products that may be linked to an outbreak of salmonellosis.

The meat under recall carries 'sell by' dates of 28th September through 11th October and bear the establishment number 'EST. 31913' printed on the case code labels, according to FSIS.

Safeway officials say, while the meat products are no longer being sold in stores, even so customers are requested to check their freezers and throw out the items, including all fresh ground beef being sold at full-service counters of Arizona Safeway stores.

Safeway is offering full refunds to customers who return the products, including any purchased from stores in Gallup, New Mexico that are also affected.