Beef With E. Coli Recalled

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Beef With E. Coli Recalled In Five States

Winco And Vons Pull Beef From Shelves


SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Richwood Meat Co. based in Merced is recalling 100,000 pounds of beef in five states that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, the California Department of Health Services said late Friday.
The frozen ground beef patties were produced in late April and early May 2006 and were distributed to California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, health officials said.

The beef was distributed to institutional food services, food distributors, discount grocers and some retail stores including Winco and Vons, state health officials said. The Napa County Public Health Division today reported three known and two probable cases of the E. coli illness among children since April 3. A Kaiser physician found the bacteria in the stool sample of a 9-year-old boy on April 3. All the children have recovered without lasting illness, spokeswoman Theresa Richmond said. Tests are being conducted to confirm the illness was caused by the beef.

"Consumers should check their freezers for these products and destroy them or take them back to the place of purchase to ensure they do not become ill," said state Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton.

The California Department of Health Services analyzed one of the lots of ground beef patties that was produced on April 28, 2006 and found it contained E. coli O157:H7. The bacterium causes abdominal cramps, diarrhea and sometimes bloody diarrhea. There is usually little or no fever and the illness typically resolves itself in five to 10 days, the state Department of Health Services said.

Infection with this organism can also cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, sudden short-term kidney failure in children, and lead to kidney failure, state health officials said. Those most at risk are young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

The state Department of Health Services released a lengthy list of companies whose Richwood Meat Company ground beef patties are being recalled. They include Fireriver Classic, Ritz Food, Chef's Pride, Blackwood Farms, Golbon, and California Pacific Associates.

Consumers with questions may contact Richwood Meat Co. at 1-209-722-8171 ext 35.