In the latest food contamination scare, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc, of Emporia, Kansas is recalling more than 131,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli 0157.H7 contamination. The meat is known to have been sent to distribution centers in several states for retail sale, including Delaware, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. The contaminated ground beef has the “Best before or freeze by” date of September 12, 2011. It was sold in chubs under the Kroger brand name, Butcher’s Brand and a generic name.
The problem was brought to the attention of the FSIS after Ohio Department of Health notified the agency of illnesses from E. coli 0157.H7 in one Ohio County. It was discovered that ground beef in the homes of the individuals who were sickened tested positive for the E. coli 0157.H7 strain.
If an individual shows symptoms of E. coli contamination, those symptoms may include, but not be limited to, dehydration and diarrhea, which may appear bloody. In the most serious cases, kidney failure can result from being infected with E. coli 0157.H7.
The recall is a Class I recall which, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), “this is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
Those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and children are the most susceptible to becoming ill from eating the contaminated ground beef. Individuals suspecting they may have contracted E. coli 0157.H7 from the contaminated ground beef should consult with a medical professional as soon as possible.