A few weeks ago I posted "Seems to be backsliding on E. coli in meat" after seeing at least three recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks tied to the consumption of red meat.  As I said before, 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 been linked to spinach and lettuce. Hopefully, the below reports are not a trend back in the wrong direction.

California Company recalls 75,000 pounds of beef – twelve sickened

75,000 pounds of ground beef has been recalled due to contamination with E. coli O157:H7.  According to California Health officials, the beef tainted with a deadly strain of E. coli has sickened a dozen people in five states and Canada, including three in California and two in Colorado.  United Food Group, LLC, of Vernon, California has recalled its Moran ground beef products.  The products have been recalled from Supervalu-owned Albertsons stores in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, and from Save-A-Lot stores in Arizona, California and Nevada and products which were distributed at Grocery Outlet, Fry’s, Save-Mart, Smart and Final, Smith’s and Stater Bros., stores in several states.

E. coli Outbreak in Fresno County – eleven sickened

The Fresno County Health Department said there are now eleven confirmed cases of E. coli in Fresno County. On Thursday, May 31st, investigators are still looking for the source of the bacteria. The Health Department has inspected the “Meat Market” in Northwest Fresno. Meat from the company may have been served at several private parties where some guests later became sick. On Tuesday May 29th, five people were confirmed to have the potentially deadly bacteria. Three more cases were confirmed on Wednesday and another three on Thursday. All of the victims had attended one of three private parties that were all serviced by the same caterer.

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.

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.