A Taste of Wellness for Savoury and Snacks
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A Smithfield Foods meat plant said on Monday it recalled 203,600 pounds of fresh ground beef products because of concerns they may be contaminated with the potentially deadly E. coli bacteria.
Moyer Packing, based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, recalled all ground beef products produced on 31 August. The meat was distributed to 11 US states, mostly in the Northeast.
Company spokesman David Bartlett said there had been no reports of illnesses associated with the recalled products. Smithfield, the largest pork producer in the US, acquired Moyer Packing last year.
E. coli O157:H7, typically contracted through contaminated food or water, causes bloody diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps. In severe cases, usually involving the elderly and young children, it can lead to kidney failure and death.
The products were distributed to a manufacturer in Pennsylvania and retail distributors in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
"If you did buy your beef from one of these states, it probably doesn't affect you, but you should check with your retailer," Bartlett said.
The US Agriculture Department said the recalled 60-pound and 40-pound cases of ground beef bear an August 31 stamp and the establishment code "EST. 1311" inside the USDA seal of inspection.
The USDA said the voluntary recall was initiated after government tests found meat samples tainted with E. coli.
In response to the recall, Stop & Shop, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Royal Ahold, recalled its ground beef products sold between 5 September and 14 September at its Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey stores.
The USDA is considering toughening its food safety requirements for US meat companies in light of the nation's second largest beef recall which happened a couple of months ago.
ConAgra Foods in July recalled nearly 19 million pounds of ground beef products because of E. coli concerns. Thirty-four people in 10 states became ill after consuming tainted ConAgra meat.