Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. of Wyalusing, Pa. has recalled 8500 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O26.
The recalled products include 42-pound cases of “GROUND BEEF FINE 90/10,” containing three 14 pound chubs each. The products have a “use/freeze by” date of “07/01/10,” and an identifying product code of “W69032.”
The label looks like this:
The products subject to recall bears the establishment number “EST. 9400″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The ground beef was produced on June 11, and were shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut and Maryland for further distribution. Health officials became aware of the problem on August 5, 2010 when the agency was notified by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources of an E. coli O26 cluster of illnesses.
So far, two victims have been identified in Maine, as well as one victim in New York. The illness onset dates range from June 24, 2010, through July 16, 2010.
E. coli O26 is a 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. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider immediately.
