In what the USDA has labeled a “Class I Recall with a high health risk,” National Beef Packing Co., the fourth largest beef processor in the U.S., is recalling ground beef chubs produced on July 23 with a freeze date of August 12, as well as those produced on July 25 with a freeze date of August 14.

Some of the affected ground beef may have gone through further processing and repackaging, and sold under different brand names. The USDA didn’t list the specific brands involved but Winn-Dixie Stores, Publix, Kroger and Walmart all announced independently they were recalling ground beef products as a result of the problem at National Beef.

E.coli, a potentially deadly bacteria, can cause dehydration, kidney failure and other problems if consumed. To combat it, the FSIS recommends safe preparation of raw meat by cooking to a temperature of at least 160 degrees Farenheit.

As alarming as it is this E.coli tainted beef recall isn’t the first of its kind, as just earlier this year, Arkansas City-based Creekstone Farms, recalled 7 tons (14,000lbs) of ground chuck for the same reason.

E. coli Tainted Beef Leads to Major Grocery Chain Recalls is a post from: The Inquisitr

A wide ranging beef recall from Maine to North Carolina means e-coli infected meat could be lurking in the freezers of clueless carnivores up and down the East Coast.

Consumers have been advised to check freezers for the contaminated batch of beef issued by Fairbank Farms of Ashville, N.Y. Affected meats have sell-by dates of Sept. 19 through Sept. 28, and contain the code “EST. 492″  inside the USDA inspection mark or on the nutrition label. The meat is believed to have possibly caused a death in New Hampshire and sickness in more than one state.

Originally the meat was recalled in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts and North Carolina. As investigation of food distribution channels revealed the possibility of further movement of the potentially contaminated meat, the recall expanded to include much of the East Coast.

Consumers may return the ground beef to the point of purchase for a full refund. Below is a list of stores that may have carried the possibly contaminated meat:

Acme Markets. Lancaster Brand Ground Beef 90/10, 1-pound and 2-pound trays. Lancaster Brand Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1-pound tray. Wild Harvest Natural Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound tray.

BJ’s Wholesale Club/Burris. Fresh Ground Beef Patties 85/15, 5-pound tray. Lean Ground Beef 93/07, 3-pound and 5-pound trays. Meatloaf and Meatball Mix, 2.5-pound tray.

Ford Brothers Fresh Ground Beef Patty 80/20, 3-pound tray.

Giant Food Stores. Giant Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1-pound tray. Giant Nature’s Promise Ground Beef, 1-pound tray. Giant Nature’s Promise Ground Beef Patties, 1-pound tray. Giant Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1-pound tray.

Price Chopper. Price Chopper Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1-pound and 2.5-pound trays. Price Chopper Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/4, 1-pound tray. Price Chopper Fresh Ground Beef Chuck for Chili 80/20, 1-pound tray.

Trader Joe’s. Brick packs with sell-by dates of 10/06/09 or 10/07/09): Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound brick pack, and Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 80/20, 1-pound brick pack. Packaged Products with sell-by dates of 9/19/09 to 09/28/09: Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Beef Patty 85/15, 1-pound tray, and Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 96/4 Extra Lean, 1-pound tray.

Shaw’s Supermarkets. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 93/7, 1-pound and 2-pound trays. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 80/20, 1-pound, 2-pound, 3-pound trays. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 75/25, 1-pound and 3-pound trays. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Sirloin Beef Patties 90/10, 1.3-pound tray. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Round Beef Patties 85/15, 1.3-pound tray. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80/20, 1.3-pound tray. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties Family Pack 80/20, 3-pound tray. Shaw’s Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound tray. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Round Beef 85/15, 1-pound, 2-pound, 3-pound trays. Shaw’s Natural Ground Beef 90/10, 1-pound tray. Shaw’s Natural Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound tray. Shaw’s Fresh Ground Sirloin 90/10, 1-pound, 2-pound and 3-pound trays. Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1-pound tray.

Other products. Cases of 10-pound Fairbank Farms Fresh Ground Beef Chubs. “These products had a sell date of 10/3/09, 10/4/09 or 10/5/09, but will likely not bear those sell-by dates on their package labels,” according to the processor. “These products were distributed to retail establishments in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia for further processing.”

East coast beef recall expanded, check your freezer is a post from: The Inquisitr

A Recall of approximately 96,000 pounds of E. Coli tainted ground beef has been issued by the Manufacturer, Valley Meats of Coal Valley, Illinois and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection service.

Ground Beef Recall – What to Look For

The ground beef recall covers meat that has the establishment number “EST. 5712″ inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging. The (2-1), (3-1), (4-1), (5-1) and (6-1) markings refer to the number of portions per pound. The ground beef products were produced on March 10 and distributed nationwide across the U.S.

The E. Coli problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses after a concentrated outbreak of the bacteria caused illness in a small geographical area in Ohio. So far, confirmed E. Coli cases have been found in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

E. Coli Symptoms

E. Coli is a potentially deadly bacterium and the symptoms of infection are bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. Children, seniors and people with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to food-borne illness.

If you or someone you know has purchased ground beef made by Valley Meats since May 10, or any packaged ground beef for that matter, check the inspection mark on the packaging for the information listed above.

If you or anyone you know has consumed ground beef products and are exhibiting any odd symptoms, especially the ones listed above, seek medical attention immediately and inform your physician of what you ate.

Ground Beef Recall issued by USDA over E. Coli Contamination is a post from: The Inquisitr