E. Coli Kills Girl, 7, Massive Ground Beef Recall

Ground Beef Recalled, Skip the Burgers this weekend

Cleveland Health Director Matthew Carroll believes the death of a 7-year-old Cleveland girl who died Sunday from an E. coli infection may be linked to a cluster of E. coli infections traced to Valley Meats LLC of Coal Valley, Ill. The Food Safety Inspection Service branch of the United States Department of Agriculture has announced a recall of nearly 96,000 pounds of ground beef because of possible E. Coli contamination.

“Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley, Ill., establishment,” says the USDA, “is recalling approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today [Thursday].

The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness”.

“The brands included in the recall are 3-S, Grillmaster, J and B, Klub, Thick ‘n Savory, Ultimate and more than a dozen generic brands. It is unclear whether the meat is distributed in grocery stores or exclusively to restaurants”.

“This is not the first time Valley Meats has been the center of possible E. Coli contamination, reports WQAD-TV. “In 2007, the company recalled more than 100,000 pounds of ground beef”.

See USDA Website for more details.