A partial list of stores involved in the 1.8 million pound ground beef recall linked to an E.coli outbreak that has sickened at least 11 people in four states has been published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS). It's a small list for a big recall, but the agency is not permitted to list restaurants, only retail stores, and the list may not yet include all locations. So far, here are the retail locations that are part of the recall. Gordon Food Service Marketplace Stores in FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, PA, TN, and WI.; Surf N Turf Market in Sebring, Florida; Giorgio's Italian Deli in Stuart, Florida; M Sixty Six General Store in Orleans, Michigan and Buchtel Food Mart on Buchtel, Ohio. Consumers who purchase meat at these stores should … [Read more...]
CDC Mum on Restaurants Linked to E.coli Outbreak
An E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef served at restaurants has sickened at least 11 people in four states, but in its first report on the investigation issued today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was mum on the names of any restaurants involved. E. coli infections in five people in Michigan, four in Ohio, 1 in Missouri and 1 in Massachusetts have all been linked to restaurant meals. Six of them were hospitalized, but none developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure. Earlier today, a recall for almost 2 million pounds of ground beef products was issued by Wolverine Packing Company of Detroit. The recall included a 97-page list of ground beef products distributed to restaurants in … [Read more...]
Michigan E coli Outbreak: Undercooked Ground Beef is Risky
We've said it before and we'll say it again: don't eat undercooked burgers. Every year in this country, E. coli infections cause about 265,000 illnesses and about 100 deaths. And the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Michigan that is associated with undercooked ground beef served in restaurants, most likely as rare burgers, is a case in point. Rare hamburgers are a risk factor for E. coli O157:H7, which can be the worst type of food poisoning you can get. Ground beef is far and away the largest culprit for carrying E. coli bacteria. An intact piece of meat has bacteria only on the surface. When that piece of meat is ground, bacteria are spread all through it. That is why hamburger must not be eaten unless it's cooked to well done, or 160°F The E. coli O157:H7 bacteria can lead to hemolytic … [Read more...]
Lawyer Says Restaurant Responsible for E. coli O157 in Burger
At least 5 people in Michigan have been diagnosed with E. coli O157 after eating undercooked ground beef the last week of April. Three of them were hospitalized because they were so seriously ill. The likely source of this outbreak is undercooked burgers and other menu items. One man told WOODTV that he ate a rare burger about 4 days before getting sick. The incubation period for E. coli is usually three to four days, so the time frame is right. "If a restaurant sells rare burgers, that burger should be safe to eat, free of any dangerous pathogens like E. coli O157," said Fred Pritzker, a lawyer who represents people sickened by E. coli food poisoning. He and his team won a $4.5 million settlement for a client who contracted an E. coli infection from steak sold at a national chain … [Read more...]
CDC: Don’t Eat Raw Ground Meat!
The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for this week focuses on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in December 2012 associated with seasonal consumption of raw ground beef. So-called "cannibal sandwiches" or "tiger meat" are made from raw ground beef, served on rye bread with onions. This is a traditional seasonal holiday specialty in certain regions of the upper Midwest. All of the 17 patients' illnesses were traced back to raw ground beef purchased from a single market. Overall, more than 50 people have been sickened from eating raw ground beef over the years in Wisconsin. The market, Glenn's Market and Catering of Watertown, recalled 2,532 pounds of the raw ground beef after people started getting sick. Of the 17 patients (four were confirmed with the outbreak strain of … [Read more...]
Texas E. coli Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef Served at Brazos County Restaurant
Health officials have linked a Texas E. coli outbreak to ground beef served at a Brazos County restaurant. The name of the restaurant has not been released, so we are asking our readers to send us information. The Brazos County Health Department (BCHD) has confirmed five cases of E. coli. The department investigated five additional cases of illness involving symptoms of E. coli food poisoning, but these cases are still suspected and not yet confirmed. E. coli can cause severe complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). "Control measures have been implemented to prevent further cases including mandatory glove use by employees and continuous monitoring by BCHD," said BCHD in a press release. "The health department should … [Read more...]
Salmonella Jouni Meats and Gab Halal Ground Beef Outbreak Sickens 22
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its latest update on the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to ground beef produced by Jouni Meats, Inc. and Gab Halal Foods of Michigan. The outbreak appears to be over, but 22 people have been sickened. Seven people were hospitalized. There were no deaths in this outbreak. The case count includes these patients: Arizona (1), Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Michigan (9), Pennsylvania (1), and Wisconsin (8). Illness onset dates ranged from December 9, 2012 to February 20, 2013. Patients range in age from 2 years to 87 years, with a median age of 45 years. Fifty-five percent of ill persons were male. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium that was found in the patients and in the ground beef has rarely been seen … [Read more...]
E.coli, Salmonella: Ground Beef Eaten Raw, 2 Outbreaks, 8 Days
An E.coli outbreak and a Salmonella outbreak were announced within eight days. They had three things in common, both were caused by contaminated ground beef, both caused illness in people who reported eating the meat raw, and in both cases, the raw meat was prepared as a “traditional” dish, although not the same one. The raw meat dishes in these outbreaks trace their roots to Europe and the Middle East. The first outbreak, announced January 17, was a single-state E.coli outbreak in Wisconsin where three people ate a raw ground beef dish similar to steak tartare that is sometimes called “Tiger Meat.” Raw beef and onions is popular among some Midwesterners, particularly those of German heritage. In 1994, more than 100 Wisconsinites contracted Salmonella poisoning after eating the mixture … [Read more...]
