Health Law

Bison meat E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and recall update

By Drew Falkenstein

Although there have been no new numbers from Colorado, New York, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the USDA-FSIS just updated its list of retail establishments that received recalled product in the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and recall linked to Rocky Mountain Natural Meats bison meat.  What was originally just a few stores has turned into approximately 156 stores in 25 states and Puerto Rico that may have bison meat products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  66,776 pounds of bison meat have now been recalled. 

To date, there are six known, genetically indistinguishable E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in this outbreak in Colorado and New York.  We filed suit today on behalf of Claudette Murtha, a Colorado Springs resident, who is one of likely many people who suffered an E. coli O157:H7 illness after consuming the recalled, contaminated product, but did not have a stool sample that tested positive. 

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats, the defendant in the Murtha lawsuit, and the source of the recalled meat, needs to now do all it can, including continuing its cooperation with the USDA-FSIS, to make consumers aware that the bison meat they purchased should not be eaten because it might kill them or somebody in their family.  With over 66,000 pounds of bison meat recalled, there are undoubtedly lots of people nationally with possibly contaminated bison meat in their freezers. 

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on July 09, 2010 (boomark / email).