Health Law

Another E. coli Recall

By Marler Clark LLP

The USDA announced yesterday that Snapps Ferry Packing is recalling hamburger patties and bulk ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  No illnesses have been reported - the problem was discovered through routine testing.  According to USDA:

The products subject to recall are:

* 4-pound packages of "GROUND BEEF PATTIES."
* Various weight bulk packages of "GROUND BEEF."

Each product subject to recall bears the establishment number "Est. 9085" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a "PACKED ON" date of "DEC.11.07" or "DEC.12.07."

E. coli O157:H7 bacteria is believed to mostly live in the intestines of cattle,[14] but has also been found in the intestines of chickens, deer, sheep, and pigs. E. coli O157:H7 does not make the animals that carry it ill; the animals are merely the reservoir for the bacteria.

Meat typically becomes contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 during the slaughtering process, when the contents of an animal's intestines and feces are allowed to come into contact with the carcass. Unless the carcass is sanitized, the E. coli bacteria are eventually mixed into the meat as it is ground. Because the bacteria is mixed into the meat during the grinding process, and is not just on the surface, thorough cooking (to160 degrees) is required to prevent E. coli O157:H7 poisoning from consumption of ground beef. Contaminated meat looks and smells normal, and although the number of organisms required to cause an infection is not known, it is suspected to be very small.

Full post as published by e.Coli Blog on December 18, 2007 (boomark / email).