August 8, 2008
USDA announces beef recall after E.coli illnesses reported
A California company is recalling 153,630 pounds of ground beef products because they may be the source of 11 reported illnesses from E. coli poisoning, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
S&S Foods LLC. is recalling the beef after an investigation was performed by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, or FSIS, and the Virginia Department of Health.
"FSIS has received 11 reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product," the agency said.
The FSIS listed distribution points for the suspect beef in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, but not the locations were the ground beef was served or sold.
"This product was intended for food service and institutional use and not for direct retail purchase," FSIS said.
The E. coli O157:H7 bacterium is potentially deadly and can cause "bloody diarrhoea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure," according to the FSIS. "The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to food-borne illness."
