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Nationwide Recall of 248,000 pounds of Beef Due to E. coli Illness in Six States

By Paul Napoli

December 27, 2009

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that National Steak and Poultry, of Owasso, OK, is recalling approximately 248,000 pounds of beef products linked to illness that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The FSIS, investigating a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health and agriculture departments, has linked non-intact steaks (blade tenderized prior to further processing) and illnesses in six states.

This is a Class I Recall, meaning this is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

'The recall is limited to beef products sold primarily to the Moe's, Carino's Italian Grill, and KRM restaurants in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Washington. These are the states where the USDA has determined there have been illnesses that could be linked to contaminated beef,' said a National Steak and Poultry Media Statement.

According to the FSIS Recall Release, National Steak and Poultry shipped the effected beef products to restaurants nationwide.

Restaurants can identify the recalled beef products by the package label bearing the establishment number 'EST. 6010T' inside the USDA mark of inspection, respective case codes cited below, and packaging dates of '10/12/2009,' '10/13/2009,' '10/14/2009,' or '10/21/2009.'

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. Some kinds of E. coli cause disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin. The bacteria that make these toxins are called 'Shiga toxin-producing' E. coli or STEC for short.

The symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If a fever is present, it usually a low fever of less than 101?F. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life threatening.

Around 5–10% of people diagnosed with STEC infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Signs that a person is developing HUS include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids. Persons with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems. Most persons with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die.

The time between ingesting the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria and feeling sick is called the 'incubation period.' The incubation period is usually 3-4 days after the exposure, but may be as short as 1 day or as long as 10 days. The symptoms often begin slowly with mild belly pain or non-bloody diarrhea that worsens over several days. Most people get better within 5–7 days. HUS, if it occurs, develops an average 7 days after the first symptoms, when the diarrhea is improving.

While healthy people may also be at risk, people most susceptible to foodborne illness are children, frail or elderly people and people with immune systems weakened by corticosteroids, anticancer drugs, graft suppression therapy or AIDS.

Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should consult a physician.

The following products are subject to recall:

... 4-ounce 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of 'SC68408.'

... 6-ounce 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of 'SP680608.'

... 8-ounce 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of 'SC68808'

... 9-ounce 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of 'SC68908.'

... 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BONELESS BEEF TIPS,' with an identifying case code of '69108.'

... 5-ounce 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BACON WRAPPED BEEF FILLET,' with an identifying case code of '23508.'

... 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY USDA SELECT BEEF SHOULDER MARINATED TENDER MEDALLIONS' with an identifying case code of '23289.'

... 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY 75% BONELESS BEEF TRIMMINGS,' with an identifying case code of '33575.'

... 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BEEF TRIMMINGS,' with an identifying case code of '36545.'

... 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BEEF SIRLOIN PHILLY STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '88008.'

... 4-ounce 'EGN BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '680425.'

... 7-ounce 'EGN BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN TRI TIP STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '69725.'

... 9-ounce 'EGN BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN TRI TIP STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '680925.'

... 7-ounce 'KRM BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of ' 680715.'

... 9-ounce 'KRM BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '680915.'

... 12-ounce 'KRM BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '680215.'

... 8-ounce 'CARINO'S BONELESS BEEF OUTSIDE SKIRT STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '130874.'

... 'CARINO'S BONELESS BEEF OUTSIDE SKIRT STEAK PIECES,' with an identifying case code of '13074.'

... 'MOE'S BEEF STEAK,' with an identifying case code of '78027.'

... 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY BONELESS BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK' with an identifying case code of XXSP68008.

... 'NATIONAL STEAK AND POULTRY SAVORY SIRLOIN TIPS' with an identifying case code of XX69008.

When a product causes serious injury or death, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling product liability cases. Products liability is the branch of law that deals with the liability of parties involved in the manufacturing of a product for any damages caused by the product. Call Napoli Bern Ripka LLP today at 888-529-4669 to discuss your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on December 28, 2009 (boomark / email).