Health Law

WinCo Foods Expands E. coli Hamburger Recall

By E. coli Lawyer

WinCo Foods announced today that it is issuing an expansion of the Class 1 recall on all fresh ground beef products sold at all WinCo Foods stores: The original recall issued on April 10, 2010 was for ground beef sold from it's Modesto store only.

Originally an independent lab had tested two samples of ground beef purchased at the Modesto, California store to be positive for E. coli 0157:H7 (a bacterium that causes food borne illness) and out of concern for the health of our customers and our ongoing commitment to provide only safe, quality products, WinCo Foods decided it was appropriate to issue a recall for the Modesto store.

As WinCo has cooperated with public health authorities, new information has come to light that potentially implicates WinCo's ground beef suppliers. Acting on the advice of the California Department of Public Health and consistent with the ongoing investigation by USDA, WinCo is expanding its voluntary recall to include all fresh ground beef sold at any WinCo Foods store. A list of all WinCo Foods store locations follows in this announcement.

The product under recall is all fresh ground beef packed in styrofoam trays with a sale date of March 28, 2010 through April 9, 2010. Product should either be returned to the store for refund or be destroyed. No illnesses have been confirmed to date in connection with this recall.

E. coli 0157:H7 causes abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover within a week. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for developing HUS, which can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

Individuals who have eaten fresh ground beef purchased from any WinCo Foods store between March 28, 2010 and April 9, 2010 and who have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illness should be reported to the state or local health authorities. WinCo recommends checking the FDA website for further information and answers concerning food borne illness and food safety.

Full post as published by e.Coli Blog on April 17, 2010 (boomark / email).