Post by Rene Soul on Apr 25, 2007 13:53:44 GMT -5
Possibly Contaminated With E. Coli Bacteria
(CBS 5 / AP / BCN) SACRAMENTO At least seven brands of frozen ground beef sold in five states are being recalled because the meat may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, officials said late Friday.
Richwood Meat Co. Inc., based in Merced, is recalling 100,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, the California Department of Health Services said.
The patties were produced in late April and early May 2006 and were distributed to California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, health officials said.
The beef was distributed to institutional food services, food distributors, discount grocers and some retail stores including Winco and Vons, state health officials said.
"Consumers should check their freezers for these products and destroy them or take them back to the place of purchase to ensure they do not become ill," said State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton.
The California Department of Health Services analyzed one of the lots of ground beef patties that was produced on April 28, 2006 and found it contained E. coli O157:H7.
E. coli infection causes abdominal cramps, diarrhea and sometimes bloody diarrhea. There is usually little or no fever and the illness typically resolves itself in five to 10 days, the state Department of Health Services said.
Infection with this organism can also cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, sudden short-term kidney failure in children, and lead to kidney failure, state health officials said. Those most at risk are young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
The Napa County Public Health Division on Friday reported three known and two probable cases of the E. coli illness among children since April 3. A Kaiser physician found the bacteria in the stool sample of a 9-year-old boy on April 3.
All the children fell ill after eating hamburgers at snack shacks located at the St. Helena and Calistoga Little League fields and have since recovered, said Karen Smith, Napa County's public health officer.
Tests are being conducted to confirm the illness was caused by the beef.
In February 2004, Richwood recalled 90,000 pounds of frozen ground beef and beef patties after several illnesses were reported in Japan. Laboratory tests there confirmed the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in the meat.
The products being recalled are hamburger patties and ground beef sold under the brands Fireriver, Chef's Pride, Ritz Food, Blackwood Farms, California Pacific Associates, C&C Distributing, Golbon, and Richwood.
Consumers with questions may contact Richwood at 1-209-722-8171 ext 35.
(CBS 5 / AP / BCN) SACRAMENTO At least seven brands of frozen ground beef sold in five states are being recalled because the meat may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, officials said late Friday.
Richwood Meat Co. Inc., based in Merced, is recalling 100,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, the California Department of Health Services said.
The patties were produced in late April and early May 2006 and were distributed to California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, health officials said.
The beef was distributed to institutional food services, food distributors, discount grocers and some retail stores including Winco and Vons, state health officials said.
"Consumers should check their freezers for these products and destroy them or take them back to the place of purchase to ensure they do not become ill," said State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton.
The California Department of Health Services analyzed one of the lots of ground beef patties that was produced on April 28, 2006 and found it contained E. coli O157:H7.
E. coli infection causes abdominal cramps, diarrhea and sometimes bloody diarrhea. There is usually little or no fever and the illness typically resolves itself in five to 10 days, the state Department of Health Services said.
Infection with this organism can also cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, sudden short-term kidney failure in children, and lead to kidney failure, state health officials said. Those most at risk are young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
The Napa County Public Health Division on Friday reported three known and two probable cases of the E. coli illness among children since April 3. A Kaiser physician found the bacteria in the stool sample of a 9-year-old boy on April 3.
All the children fell ill after eating hamburgers at snack shacks located at the St. Helena and Calistoga Little League fields and have since recovered, said Karen Smith, Napa County's public health officer.
Tests are being conducted to confirm the illness was caused by the beef.
In February 2004, Richwood recalled 90,000 pounds of frozen ground beef and beef patties after several illnesses were reported in Japan. Laboratory tests there confirmed the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in the meat.
The products being recalled are hamburger patties and ground beef sold under the brands Fireriver, Chef's Pride, Ritz Food, Blackwood Farms, California Pacific Associates, C&C Distributing, Golbon, and Richwood.
Consumers with questions may contact Richwood at 1-209-722-8171 ext 35.