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Fears of widespread E coli contamination forced a Michigan-based beef firm to recall over 129,000 pounds of beef, the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service confirmed today. The massive beef recall follows an inspection by the Michigan Department of Community Health, where it identified E coli O157:H7 as the source of illness in many people recently. USDA said the recall was underway in 15 American states.
David Creek Meats of Kalamazoo, Michigan, processed the suspect beef between March 1st and April 30th this year. Beef stamped with USDA Establishment number 1947A are subject to recall and no other products are implicated.
Escherichia coli or (E. coli) is a bacterium normally found in the gut of human beings. Under normal circumstances, the bacteria play an important role in waste processing, vitamin K production, and food absorption from the large intestine.
However the E. coli strain O157:H7 is associated with a host of illnesses in man. Prime among these diseases are food poisoning, urinary tract infections, peritonitis, meningitis and septicemia.
The O157:H7 strain of E.coli was linked to the outbreak caused by fresh bagged spinach in late 2006. That outbreak claimed at least three lives and sickened hundreds. In the very young and the very old, E.coli can prove to be a fatal infection. E.coli is also found in raw and undercooked beef, infected water and milk.
Symptoms of E.coli infection include bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Most E.coli infections are linked to consuming undercooked, contaminated ground beef, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It added that there are at least 76 million cases of food borne disease reported in the country each year.
Consumers can prevent E. coli O157:H7 infection by cooking ground beef thoroughly and by avoiding drinking unpasteurized milk. Additionally washing hands carefully before preparing or eating food is also advised.
The current recall is underway in centers where beef was distributed by Gordon Food Service. The states where the beef is being recalled include Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Following simple guidelines can prevent E.coli infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following guidelines to prevent E.coli infection,
* Cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly
* If you are served an undercooked hamburger or other ground beef product in a restaurant, send it back for further cooking.
* Wash fruits and vegetables under running water, especially those that will not be cooked.
* Make sure that persons with diarrhea, especially children, wash their hands carefully with soap after bowel movements to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
It is unclear whether following the above procedures will be enough to render the beef safe in this recall. Consumers who have already purchased the suspect beef are advised to throw it away.
Alternatively the USDA said they can also call contact company representative David Sanford, at (269) 344-1084 ext. 131 if they have any question regarding the recall.
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