Cargill Inc. says it is recalling over one million pounds of ground beef because of fears of E. coli bacteria contamination. Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania are the 10 states affected by the recall. This is Cargill Inc’s second voluntary meat recall due to E. Coli concerns over the last few weeks.
Ground beef affected by this recall was produced by Cargill between October 8 and October 11 at its Wyalusing, Pennsylvania plant. The beef was sold at a number of retailers, including Weis, Giant, Stop & Shop, and Shop Rite.
The Agricultural Department found E. Coli O157:H7 in a beef sample that was produced on October 8, 2007. Cargill is working with the USDA Food and Safety Inspection Service to track down the million plus pounds of ground beef that could have been contaminated with E. Coli bacteria so they can be pulled from stores.
In early October, Cargill voluntarily recalled over 840,000 pounds of ground beef patties that were sold nationally at Sam’s Club stores because of contamination by the same strain of E. coli. One girl, 4-year-old Callie Gustafson, was hospitalized with E. coli after eating the ground beef. Her parents have filed a products liability lawsuit and claim their daughter sustained permanent injuries because of her illness.
The CDC says there are 73,000 reported E. coli cases every year. Around 61 of these cases result in fatalities. Around 2100 cases require hospitalization.
E Coli contamination of meat usually happens during the slaughtering process, when the feces and the testicles of the animal can end up coming into contact with the carcass. If the carcass isn’t sanitized, the E. Coli bacteria becomes mixed into the meat during the grinding process.
A meat producing company is required to make sure that all sanitation measures are followed so that E. coli contamination does not occur to the meat sold in the marketplace. If a person becomes sick because of eating the contaminated meat, he or she can file a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturing company.
Cargill Recalls 1 Million Pounds of Beef, AP, November 3, 2007
E. coli O157:H7, About E. coli
Related Web Resources:
Sam’s Club recalls Cargill-made hamburgers in U.S., Reuters, October 6, 2007
E. coli, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
If you or someone you love believe that you contracted E. coli because the meat or other food item you purchased was contaminated, do not hesitate to call an experienced Massachusetts products liability lawyer right away. Altman & Altman LLP represents products liability clients in and around the Boston area. To schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced Boston products liability attorneys, contact Altman & Altman LLP today.