3,500 Pounds of Hamburger Patties Recalled, E. Coli Contamination Suspected

About 3,500 pounds of hamburger patties produced by the California-based Sterling Pacific Meat Co. are being recalled today because they are suspected of being contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7, a common cause of serious and potentially fatal food poisoning.

The recalled meat patties were produced at the company’s facility in City of Commerce on May 18, 2009 and distributed to wholesale food companies, who in turn sold the patties under several brand names to restaurants in California and Arizona, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

A USDA review of plant records uncovered the risk of E. coli contamination in the patties, but there have so far been no reports of consumers becoming ill after eating the hamburger meat, officials said.

E. Coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The elderly, young children, people with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to serious foodborne illness.

The USDA recently announced it would be taking a harder look at meat processors in an effort to reduce outbreaks of food contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, and other forms of foodborne bacteria.

Just last month, an Illinois-based meat company recalled about 200 pounds of ground beef because the food may have been contaminated with E. coli. The strain of bacteria also recently was detected in tap water in a Massachusetts town and in Nestle Toll House prepared cookie dough products, which prompted a huge recall of the Toll House products.

Two Brands of Hamburger Patties Recalled

The brand names and other details of the hamburger patty products being recalled are:

Fatburger Brand

• 20-pound packages of “8 oz. PUCK (80/20) GROUND BEEF PATTIES.”

• 10-pound “2.5 oz. BABY GROUND BEEF PATTIES.”

Stock Yards Brand

• 12-pound packages of “6 oz ROUND 80 % LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13627.”

• 12-pound packages of “(3/1) ROUND 80% LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13582.”

• 12-pound packages of “(3/1) ROUND 80% LEAN GROUND BEEF PATTIES.” Each package bears the identifying case code “10457″ and the pack date “05/18/2009.”

• 12-pound packages of “GROUND BEEF PATTY (8/1) SLIDER 80% LEAN.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13657″ and the pack date “05/18/2009.”

• 12-pound packages of “(4/1) ROUND 85% LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13575″ and the pack date “05/18/2009.”

• 12-pound packages of “PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY 7oz WIDE PATTY 80% LEAN.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13520″ and the pack date “05/18/2009.”

• 12-pound packages of “PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY (7/1) ROUND PATTY 80% LEAN.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13577″ and the pack date “05/18/2009.”

• 11.80-pound packages of “PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES 7 oz ROUND 80% LEAN.” Each package bears the identifying case code “13520″ or “13561″ and the pack date “05/18/2009.”

All the packages of recalled beef have the establishment number “EST. 550″ within the USDA Mark of Inspection and advise “KEEP REFRIGERATED” and/or “KEEP FROZEN,” the USDA said.

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