A Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least seven people in Arizona and Michigan has prompted the recall of 500 pounds of ground beeef produced by Jouni Meats, Inc. of Sterling Heights, Mich., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The recalled product was distributed to a restaurant in Macomb County, Mich., and sold directly to consumers at Jouni Meats, Inc. The ground beef under recall was sold in various sizes without a label and produced between Dec. 4, 2012, and Dec. 9, 2012.
The recall was issued because health officials have established a link to a cluster of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses among diners at a Macomb County, Mich. restaurant who ate a raw ground beef dish and the ground beef produced by Jouni. FSIS is working with the Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arizona Department of Health Services, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on an investigation of the outbreak.
Among case patients in Arizona and Michigan, illness onset dates range from December 9, 2012, to December 13, 2012. The 7 case-patients consumed raw beef kibbeh on December 7, 2012, and December 8, 2012. It is not known at this time if this outbreak strain is drug resistant.
FSIS and the company are concerned that consumers may have some product in their freezers. Consumers who do, should not eat it.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause illness that if ingested. Salmonella infections, called salmonellosis, can be life-threatening, especially to those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, seniors, pregnant women, those with HIV and those undergoing chemotherapy. Symptoms usually develop 12 to 72 hours after exposure and include diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Consumers who ate the product and developed these symptoms should see a healthcare provider.
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