E. coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef Products Cause for Nationwide Recall

E. coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef Products Cause for Nationwide Recall

The USDA FSIS has raised a Class I Recall Alert (High Health Risk) for a long list of ground beef products, which have been distributed nationwide and linked with E. coli O157:H7 infections in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The recall was prompted by the discovery through epidemiological investigation of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in groups of people in these three states. In other words, people have already been sickened by products related to this recall.

E. coli O157:H7 infection can lead to the dangerous and sometimes fatal disease hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is associated with high blood pressure, swelling of the extremities or the entire body, and possibly eventual kidney failure and death.

Here is a copy of the USDA FSIS recall alert:

Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley, Ill., establishment is recalling approximately 95,898 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 today. The products subject to recall include: [View Labels, PDF Only, 1.7mb]

3S Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each package bears the identifying case code “95554
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) “KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each package bears the identifying case code “95556.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER.” Each package bears the identifying case code “95573.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER.” Each package bears the identifying case code “95574.”

Grillmaster Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 100 (10-1) “KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95588.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) “KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95500.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95502.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” The cases can be identified by the case codes “95504″ and “95505.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) “KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95508.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) “KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95509.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER BEEF PATTIE.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95512.”

J & B Brand Products:

• 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 28, 6-ounce “KEEP FROZEN BEEF HOAGIE PATTIE.” Each package bears the identifying case code “51706.”
• 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 14, 12-ounce “KEEP FROZEN BEEF DINNER PATTIE.” Each package bears the identifying case code “51312.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED.” Each package bears the identifying case code “11028.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED.” Each package bears the identifying case code “11024.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 10 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT VEAL LUNCHEON CHOPPED AND FORMED.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13014.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN SEASONED GROUND BEEF PATTIE.” Each package bears the identifying case code “11384BR.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 packages (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER.” Each package bears the identifying case code “J1004.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE.” Each package bears the identifying case code “51803.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE.” Each package bears the identifying case code “51804.”

Klub Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) “KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95565.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95567.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95568.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) “KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95583.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95584.”

Thick ‘N Savory Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) “KEEP FROZEN THICK ‘N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95579.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN THICK ‘N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95580.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN THICK ‘N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “95581.”

Ultimate Brand Products:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “1012CL.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “1013CL.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case can be identified by the case code “1014CL.”

Products with No Specified Name Brand:

• 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case bears the case code “50123.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case bears the case code “50125.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case bears the case code “50127.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE.” Each case bears the case code “3253.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE.” Each case bears the case code “3254.”
• 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) “KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE.” Each case bears the case code “3255.”
• 24.75-pound cases containing a total of 144 “KEEP RERIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “8218.”
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8020EC.”
• 40-pound cases containing a total of 8 (8 X 5) “KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8020VP.”
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8515.”
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8020ECF.”
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “10201.”
• 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP FROZEN GROUND MEAT.” Each package bears the identifying case code “10301.”

Additionally, each product bears the establishment number “EST. 5712″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. The (2-1), (3-1), (4-1), (5-1) and (6-1) markings refer to the number of portions per one-pound.

These ground beef products were produced on March 10, 2009, and were distributed to various consignees nationwide.

The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

4 Responses to “E. coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef Products Cause for Nationwide Recall”

1. Valley Meats E. Coli O157:H7 Contaminated Ground Beef Recall Update - NBA FOODAdvocate says:

   June 19, 2009 at 12:48 AM

   [...] contain the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with E. coli-contaminated ground beef products from Valley Meats, LLC, of Coal Valley, Illinois, news continues to filter in. The ground beef products reportedly were [...]

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2. JBS Swift Company Expanded Recall…Expanded Concerns - NBA FOODAdvocate says:

   June 29, 2009 at 1:32 PM

   [...] appears to be the summer of E. coli O157:H7 recalls. It’s only June and we already have had the Valley Meat E. coli scare, the Nestle cookie catastrophe and now the JBS Swift mass [...]

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3. Faye Bayes says:

   July 1, 2009 at 12:30 PM

   IF YOU MAY HAVE BOUGHT BEEF CONTAMINATED WITH ECOLI AND ARE UNAWARE OF IT, WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH ALL BEEF PRODUCTS TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF CONTACTING ECOLI. IE. COOKING WELL DONE OR OTHER PRECAUTIUONS.

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   • Richard Arsenault says:

     July 10, 2009 at 10:36 AM

     Faye, thank you for bringing up the important issue of food safety in the home. I’d like to refer you to our food devoted blog, NBAFoodAdvocate, where we post daily on such topics as food safety tips, recall and outbreak alerts, food pathogen information, and much more. Take a look at the Safety Tips category in particular for info on minimum safe internal cooking temperatures, how to prevent cross-contamination, and other food safety pointers.

     Our most recent blogs on safe food handling for Fourth of July grilling can be found here:
     July 4th Beef Issues…
     USDA FSIS Fact Sheet on Grilling and Food Safety…

     And a quick food safety primer right here on NBALawBlog can be found here:
     Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill

     Unfortunately, while we consumers can do everything within our power to protect our families from foodborne illness by following safe food handling practices, our best efforts are not enough to eliminate all pathogen contamination. Our food supply should be safe and clean before it reaches our kitchens, and that responsibility rests with food manufacturers and distributors. We must continue to use the tort system and strong regulatory agencies to pressure wayward food companies to raise their standards and take seriously their duty to keep our food supply safe.

     Faye, thanks again for your comment, and we hope you’ll stayed tuned both here and at NBAFoodAdvocate.com.

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