E. coli?

Interesting stories from different coasts:

Ground beef hamburger patties recalled in California

A voluntary recall is underway for dozens of brands of frozen ground beef patties. State health officials said meat produced by Richwood Meat Company of Merced may be contaminated with E. coli. The meat is sold at Winco Foods, Vons, and other grocery stores in several states, including California.

Small E. Coli Outbreak Reported In Napa County

Is the ground beef a possible link?  Napa County officials said they are investigating a small outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 diarrheal illness among children that involves three confirmed cases and two probable cases The Napa County Public Health and Environmental Health Division said the California Department of Health Services also is investigating the source and possible connection of the five cases. State officials were to have more information Friday afternoon, said Theresa Richmond, the county’s Health and Human Services Agency spokeswoman. The first E. coli case was detected April 3 by a Kaiser physician in the stool culture of a 9-year-old boy, Richmond said. That began the county’s Public Health Division’s investigation and the discovery of the two other confirmed cases and two probable cases, Richmond said.

E. Coli Fond in Hoss’s Meat – Pennsylvania firm recalls beef due to E. coli

A Pennsylvania beef company is recalling about 259,230 lbs of beef products due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Health have found several illnesses tied to steak products produced by HFX Inc. for Hoss’s Family Steak and Sea Restaurants, a chain based in Pennsylvania.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health said in a statement the illnesses are believed to be the result of eating rare or medium-rare steak at the restaurants March 24-March 29. Four of five people have been hospitalized, but none has developed kidney failure.  Interestingly, Hoss’s was linked to a food poisoning outbreak in 2006.

More on E. coli can be found at www.about-ecoli.com