Recall of Possible E Coli Ground Beef Products Prompted By 2 Deaths

A voluntary recall of possible E coli ground beef products prompted by 2 deaths was issued by Fairbank Farms of Ashville, N.Y. 

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today that over 500,000 pounds of the company’s  fresh ground beef products may be contaminated with E coli O157:H7.

Two deaths and 26 other illnesses may be linked to the beef. One death occurred in New York and one in New Hampshire.

The ground beef was distributed in September to stores from North Carolina to Maine. Some of the meat was sold to major chains such as BJ’s, Giant, Price Chopper, Trader Joe’s, Shaw’s, Lancaster and Wild Harvest. Those packages carry the number “EST.492″ on the label and were packaged Sept 15-16.

Other ten pound packages under the  Fairbank Farms name were distributed to stores in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. These packages were probably repackaged and would have different packing and sell by dates.

A complete detailed list of the products is available on the FSIS website.

The USDA said customers with concerns should contact the stores where they purchased the meat.

E coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and people with weak immune systems are the most vulnerable. Symptoms can develop 3 to 4 days after eating contaminated food.

Anyone experiencing symptoms suspected of being caused by the possible E coli ground beef products should contact a physician.