Food Poisoning Law Blog

On August 4, 2006, the USDA-FSIS announced the recall of 13,078 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The ground beef was processed by Plains Meat Company, LTD, and sold in Texas. One day later, on August 5, the USDA-FSIS announced another recall of 4,337 pounds of ground beef because of possible contamination with E.coli O157:H7. The ground beef recalled on August 5 was processed by Southeastern Meats, Inc., and sold in Georgia and Tennessee.

August 4 Ground Beef Recall
The ground beef subject to the August 4 E. coli O157:H7 recall is as follows:

• Five to 20- pound packages of "GROUND BEEF, PACKED BY PLAINS MEAT COMPANY, LTD.," Each package bears the establishment number "Est. 1429" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• Five to 20- pound packages of "BEEF PATTIES MIX, PACKED BY PLAINS MEAT COMPANY, LTD.," Each package bears the establishment number "Est. 1429" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The ground beef was produced between July 31 and August 4, 2006 and was sent to restaurants and distributors in Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas.

August 5 Ground Beef Recall
The ground beef subject to the August 5 E. coli O157:H7 recall is as follows:

• 10- pound boxes of "GROUND BEEF PATTIES, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC."
• 5- and 10- pound bags of "GROUND BEEF, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC."
• 10- pound bags of "TACO BEEF MIX, INGREDIENTS BEEF AND BEEF PARTS, SOUTHEASTERN MEATS, INC."

The ground beef was produced on July 31 and August 1, and was distributed to retail establishments and institutions in Georgia and Tennessee.

What is E. coli?
E. coli O157:H7 is an extremely dangerous bacterial pathogen for people in high-risk groups, including the very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems. E. coli O157:H7 infections in young children can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure and death. The recalled meat should not be eaten. If you and your family have eaten the recalled meat, you should keep any leftover meat in the refrigerator and watch for symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection, including runny and/or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. The incubation period for E. coli is 24 - 72 hours.

Pritzker | Ruohonen successfully represented several E. coli O157:H7 victims in the 2000 outbreak involving hamburger purchased at Minnesota Cub Food Stores and is lead counsel for victims of the 2002 Northeast United States listeriosis outbreak that killed 12 people and injured more than 50 others. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli poisoning and other foodborne illnesses. Pritzker | Ruohonen has offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota. To contact Pritzker | Ruohonen, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.