Wisconsin company recalls beef with possible E. coli contamination

Wisconsin company recalls beef with possible E. coli contamination

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- A company voluntarily recalled nearly 96,000 pounds of ground beef products after two people were sickened, possibly by the E. coli bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Saturday.

The beef products by American Foods Group include coarse and fine ground beef chuck, sirloin and chop beef. They were distributed to retailers and distributors in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Virginia.

The problem surfaced after an investigation by the Illinois Department of Health, which was looking into two reports of illnesses.

The bacteria is E. coli O157:H7. E. coli is harbored in the intestines of cattle. Improper butchering and processing can cause the E. coli to get onto meat. Thorough cooking, to at least 160 degrees internal temperature, can destroy the bacteria.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and people with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to E. coli.

The products subject to recall were produced on Oct. 10. They were distributed for further processing and repackaging and will not have the company's establishment number on the package.

Some of the recommended use-by dates have already expired. In that case, consumers can contact their retailers to see if the products in question were at stores. Consumers are also urged to look in their freezers and return or throw out the products if they find them.

The products include:

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 73/27." Each shipping label bears a product code of "65000."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 75/25." Each shipping label bears a product code of "65800."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF SIRLOIN, FINE GROUND 90/10." Each shipping label bears a product code of "66000."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 80/20." Each shipping label bears a product code of "66400."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 75/25." Each shipping label bears a product code of "19900."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 73/27." Each shipping label bears a product code of "20100."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF CHUCK, FINE GROUND 82/18." Each shipping label bears a product code of "20600."

--Bulk weight packages of "CHOP BEEF STEAK, FINE GRIND "86/14." Each shipping label bears a product code of "30000."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF SIRLOIN, FINE GROUND 92/08." Each shipping label bears a product code of "30400."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF ROUND, FINE GROUND 87/13." Each shipping label bears a product code of "30200."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 80/20." Each shipping label bears a product code of "30700."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF CHUCK, FINE GROUND 82/18." Each shipping label bears a product code of "31400."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 93/07." Each shipping label bears a product code of "31600."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF, FINE GROUND 73/27." Each shipping label bears a product code of "31700."

--Bulk weight packages of "BEEF MODIFIED, FINE GROUND 93/07." Each shipping label bears a product code of "31900."

Each shipping label bears the establishment number "Est. 18076" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

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On the Net:

Agriculture Department's Food and Safety Inspection Service: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/