The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises Rhode Islanders that the South Shore Meat packing plant in Brockton has initiated a voluntary recall on certain ground beef products based on confirmed laboratory evidence of the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in leftover ground beef samples obtained from Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The ground beef was tested by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) after more than 20 students and chaperones from Lincoln Middle School became ill. Other Massachusetts residents are also sickened from meat purchased at Star Market in Marshfield.

USDA is investigating what lot codes are involved at this time and will be updating their website with detailed information on a regular basis. HEALTH continues to work with MDPH and federal partners to determine if any other products are involved with this recall and where the product(s) were distributed.