Recall: Walmart E. coli Cases Linked to Sam's Club Hamburgers

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CHICAGO (Reuters) - Sam's Club is pulling frozen hamburgers made by agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. from its stores shelves across the United States as Minnesota health officials investigate four cases of E. coli associated with the burgers.

In a statement dated Friday, Sam's Club owner Wal-Mart Stores Inc said the warehouse club is removing the American Chef's Selection Angus Beef patties from U.S. locations and giving refunds to customers who already purchased the burgers.

All four cases of E. coli being investigated occurred in children, the Minnesota Department of Health said in a statement. The cases are associated with eating ground beef patties purchased from Sam's Club stores in late August and September.

Sam's Club customers should return or destroy any American Chef's Selection Angus Beef purchased from Sam's Club since August 26, the department of health said.

Cargill said the hamburgers were manufactured at its plant in Butler, Wisconsin.

Symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 illness -- the strain associated with the recall -- include potentially severe stomach cramps and diarrhea.

The recall comes in the wake of another beef-related health scare. Last month Topps Meat Co LLC recalled 21.7 million pounds of beef linked to 30 cases of E. coli-related illness. On Friday, Topps said the recall forced it out of business.

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Poisoning Law Blog: E. coli Cases Linked to Sam's Club Hamburgers