On November 3, 2007, Wyalusing, Pennsylvania based Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. announced a recall of approximately 1,084,384 pounds of ground beef products as the result of a potential E.Coli 0157:H7 contamination, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although most strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli are harmless, the O157:H7 strain is a powerful toxin that produces severe illness that can lead to kidney failure or even death in patients with weakened immune systems.

This ground beef recall is the second for Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. in less than a month.

Meat products included in the ground beef recall were produced by Cargill between October 8 and October 11 at a production facility in Wyalusing, PA, and distributed to retailers across the nation. These retailers include Ahold NV’s Giant Food Stores, Stop & Shop Supermarket Cos., Wakefern Food Corp.’s ShopRite, Wegman’s Food Markets Inc., and Weis Markets Inc.

The potential E.Coli contamination was discovered through routine microbiological sampling by the FSIS.

The establishment number “Est. 9400” may be found inside the USDA mark of inspection on affected products. The use/freeze-by dates for products covered in this recall are expired. The FSIS recommends that consumers search for the products in their freezers, and return or dispose of them if found.

Concerned consumers may contact the Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. toll-free at 1-877-455-1034.

Sources: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Recall Release #051-2007, November 3, 2007; “Cargill Recalls Beef Over Fears of More E.Coli,” Associated Press, November 5, 2007.