E. Coli beef recall expands to 5.7 million pounds

   A recall of beef products blamed for an E. coli outbreak in the Western states that resulted in 14 illnesses has been expanded to include 5.7 million pounds of ground beef.
   The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service said Saturday the recall was expanding to include United Food Group products with sell-by dates from April 6-April 20.
   The suspected contaminant, E. coli O157:H7, is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration and is particularly dangerous to the very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems. It is the same E. coli strain that caused last year’s virtual shutdown of the spinach industry.
   Vernon-based UFG has asked persons who believe they may have been exposed to E. coli to seek medical attention immediately.
   Last Monday, UFG recalled 75,000 pounds of meat after state officials raised questions about possible contamination. Three days later the firm voluntarily expanded the recall to include an additional 370,000 pounds.
   According to the USDA, none of the suspected meat is in stores due to the long expired pull date, but the agency was concerned that some consumers may still have some of the ground beef at home.
   The fresh chubs, or tubes of ground beef, subject to the recall were produced at United Food Group’s facility in Vernon and distributed under the brand names: Moran’s All Natural, Miller Meat Co., Stater Bros., Inter-American Products Inc., and Basha’s.
   The recalled products were available at Albertsons, Basha’s, Grocery Outlet, Fry’s, “R” Ranch Markets, Sam’s Club (California, Arizona and Nevada Clubs only), Save-A-Lot, Save-Mart, Scolari’s Wholesale Markets, Smart and Final, Smith’s, Stater Bros., and Superior Warehouse, in 11 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Montana.