Fairbank Farms, of Ashville, N.Y., is recalling about 546,00 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
FSIS became aware of the problem during an investigation of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health and agriculture departments, FSIS determined that there is an association between the fresh ground beef products subject to recall and illnesses.
The cluster includes 28 persons from 12 states infected with matching strains of E. coli O157:H7, reports the CDC.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California – one; Connecticut – four; Massachusetts – eight; Maryland – one; Maine – two; Minnesota – one; New Hampshire – four; New Jersey – one; New York – one; Pennsylvania – two; South Dakota – two; Vermont – one.
States
where persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7
live, from Aug. 21, 2009, to Nov. 2, 2009
The first reported illness began on Aug. 18, 2009, and the last began on Oct. 10, 2009, according to the CDC. However, all but two patients reported becoming ill between Sept. 17 and Oct. 10, 2009.
Sixteen patients are reported to have been hospitalized, and three developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Two deaths have been reported, according to the CDC. Sixty-seven percent of patients are male and 43 percent are less than 18 years old.
Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a physician.
Among the stores that sold the recalled products are Trader Joes, Price Chopper, Lancaster and Wild Harvest, Shaw's, BJ's, Ford Brothers, and Giant. See the FSIS announcement for a list of the products recalled.
Most of the beef packages in the recall bear the establishment number "Est. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection and have identifying package dates of "091509" or "091609."
Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for beef products produced by this firm and purchased on or after Sept. 15, 2009. They should discard or return the recalled beef products to the place of purchase for a refund.
Consumers with questions about the source of a package of beef should contact the grocery store, club store, or meat market where they purchased it, advises the CDC.
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.
FSIS and the CDC advise consumers to safely prepare raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160° F.
The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature.
See “Is It Done Yet?” for details and food safety resources.
Consmers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov.
A toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
