From 1993 to 2002, most of the E. coli cases we did were from tainted hamburger.  Since 2002, most of the E. coli case have bee linked to spinach and lettuce.  Hopefully, the below reports are not a trend back in the wrong direction.

Kalamazoo company recalls 129,000 pounds of beef – two sickened

Davis Creek Meats and Seafood in Kalamazoo is voluntarily recalling approximately 129,000 pounds of beef products due to the possible contamination of E. coli. The problem was discovered after two people in the Kalamazoo area became sickened with symptoms related to the bacteria. The beef products were produced between March 1 and April 30, and were shipped to food service distribution centers and marketplace stores in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Strain of E. coli found – three sickened

County Public Health Officer Dr. B.A. Jinadu was cited as receiving confirmation about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday from his staff that E. coli O157:H7 has sickened at least three of the roughly 12 children
afflicted with a possible food-borne illness. Two have been released, and two developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome — a condition marked by kidney failure and seen in serious food-borne illnesses — and were transferred to hospitals outside Kern County.

E. coli O157:H7 cases linked to ground beef purchased at Lunds or Byerly’s stores since mid-April – 117,500 pounds of beef shipped to eight states –
seven sickened

Minnesota Department of Health and Agriculture officials are investigating seven cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Minnesota residents associated with eating ground beef purchased from Lunds or Byerly’s stores since mid-April. Routine monitoring by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) found that the cases of illness were all caused by E. coli O157:H7 with the same DNA fingerprint. All of the cases had purchased the ground beef from one of four Lunds or Byerly’s stores in the west metro area since April 12. The people became ill between April 21 and 28 after consuming the meat. The cases include two children and five adults. Three of the cases were hospitalized, but all have been discharged.

E. coli scare changes menu at St. Helena Little League shack – 100,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties – three sickened

Following reports early last month of E. coli infection in three Napa Valley children — who got sick from hamburger patties sold at a St. Helena Little League snack shack — Little League baseball spectators in St. Helena will no longer be able to buy a burger during game time. Gamble said the three confirmed reports of E. coli were in children between the ages of 8 and 12. The meat that sickened the children came from a Napa business, the Salami Lady’s Cash & Carry. Jan Dalluge, who has owned the business for five years, said she acquired the product from Richwood Meat Company of Merced.