Thousands of pounds of beef recalled for E. coli
5 sickened at steak chain; meat sent to stores and restaurants in 3 states

Updated: 8:20 p.m. ET April 20, 2007
WASHINGTON - A Pennsylvania beef company is recalling about 259,230 pounds of beef products due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Health have found several illnesses tied to steak products produced by HFX Inc. for Hoss’s Family Steak and Sea Restaurants, a chain based in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said in a statement the illnesses are believed to be the result of eating rare or medium-rare steak at the restaurants March 24-March 29. Four of five people have been hospitalized, but none has developed kidney failure.

Story continues below ↓
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Because the number of cases is small and the exposure period was several weeks ago, the health department believes the risk to Hoss’s customers is low,” the Pennsylvania Department of Health said.

INTERACTIVE


• E. coli in the U.S.
See where notable outbreaks have occurred in recent history.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Children, elderly and people with poor immune systems are the most susceptible.

USDA said 4,884 pounds were produced on various dates between April 5, 2007, and April 19, 2007, and were distributed to retail stores in Pennsylvania. The rest of the meat, 254,346 pounds, was distributed to restaurants in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

More information on the recall can be found on the USDA's Web site.


Click for related content
Rattlesnake meat 'cure' can cause salmonella
Woman sues hospital over flesh-eating bacteria



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18237167/wi ... 3?GT1=9303