E. Coli Prompts Huge Ground Beef Recall

About 864,000 pounds of ground beef from a Southern California meat processor have been recalled because the food may be tainted with E. coli, a potentially dangerous form of bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

The recalled meat from Huntington Meat Packing Inc., of Montebello, Calif. was shipped to restaurants, hotels, and distribution centers in California. The recall includes 40-pound boxes of Huntington Meats Ground Beef, 10-pound and 20-pound boxes of Imperial Meat Co. Ground Beef Patty, and 10-pound boxes of El Rancho Meat and Provision All Beef Patties.

Each box contained the establishment number “EST. 17967″ inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label, officials said, according to a UPI news report.

The contaminated meat was shipped from Feb. 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008, so it’s likely it has already been purchased and consumed. The USDA said it has received no reports of illness associated with the potentially tainted beef products.

E. coli is a form of foodborne bacteria that is a leading cause of serious and sometimes deadly food poisoning. Symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps, which may be severe, and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days, officials said. In the most serious cases, E. coli can result in fatal complications, including kidney failure.

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