Ohio Ground Beef E. coli Probe Continues
Ohio public health officials, in conjunction with federal agencies, continue to investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that may be associated with contaminated ground beef. At least four people from a family in Butler County, Ohio, were sickened and the bacterium was discovered in hamburger meat at the home.
The outbreak came to light on September 27 when the USDA issued a Class 1 recall of ground beef products shipped from Emporia, Kansas, by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. to 14 states. In Ohio, the meat was sold at Kroger, Sav-a-Lot and SuperValu stores. A Class 1 recall is the highest risk category and is issued when there is a “reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death.”
According to the USDA, the recall covers some 65 tons of ground beef produced by Tyson’s Kansas plant on August 23. The poisonings were registered in early September. Laboratory research confirmed the presence of toxic E. coli in the ground beef produced by this plant.
To contact an E. coli lawyer who is investigating this outbreak, call Fred Pritzker of Pritzker Olsen Attorneys at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a member of the Pritzker legal group will call you. Our law firm currently represents E. coli victims, including many individuals who have suffered a complication known as HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome. Pritzker Olsen is one of the very few legal teams in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have collected tens of millions in recoveries for families making claims.
Click here for a complete listing of Tyson ground beef recall information.
Tyson E. coli Ground Beef Recall Retailer List Includes Kroger, Save-A-Lot, Supervalu and Others
Below is the USDA-FSIS list of retailers who received recalled Tyson ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. There may be other retailers who received the recalled beef. The recalled Tyson ground beef has sickened some people in Butler County, Ohio. E. coli can cause serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Nationwide, State-Wide, or Area-Wide Distribution
Food 4 Less Stores in IL and IN
Food Lion Stores in FL, GA, NC, SC, VA, WV
Harvey’s Stores in FL, GA, SC
Jay-C Food stores in IN
Kroger Stores in AR, IL, IN, KY, MI, MS, MO, OH, TN
Payless Super Market Stores in IN
Reid’s Stores in SC
Ruler Food Stores in IN
Save-A-Lot Stores East of the Rocky Mountains
Scott’s Stores in IN
Supervalu Stores NationwideDelaware
Dover AFB in Dover DelawareIllinois
Hilander, 2206 Barnes Blvd, Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 3134 11th Street, Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 2514 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 2601 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 3710 N. Main St., Rockford, IL-Illinois
Hilander, 1715 Rural St., Rockford IL-Illinois
Hilander, 4860 Hononegah Rd., Roscoe IL-IllinoisIndiana
Payless Super Market, 1845 N. Scatterfield Rd., Anderson IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 1900 Applewood Center Dr., Anderson IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 3050 Meridian, Anderson IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 624 E. 16th St.,Bedford IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 360 E. Main St., Bloomfield IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 1245 S. Jefferson, Huntington IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 2718 Guilford, Huntington IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 65 Beck Lane, Lafayette IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 2513 Maple Point Dr., Lafayette IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 903 Lincolnway S., Ligonier IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 600 West Broadway St., Loogootee IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 120 E. 2nd St., Madison IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 1307 West Main St., Mitchell IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 1503 West Broadway, Princeton IN-Indiana
Ruler Food Store, 805 S. Main St., Salem IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 302 W. Market, Warsaw IN-Indiana
Owen’s, 2211 E Center St., Warsaw IN-Indiana
Payless Super Market, 1032 Sagamore Pkwy West, West Lafayette IN-IndianaNorth Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 1327 E. Dixie Drive, Asheboro NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 1810 Hwy 64-70 S.E., Hickory NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 3136 E. Kivett Drive, High Point NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 235 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville NC-North Carolina
Bottom Dollar, 1136 W. Pine Street, Mount Airy NC-North Carolina
Ohio E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Investigation Considers Link to Tyson Ground Beef Recall
E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef may be causing an Ohio E. coli outbreak that is under investigation by the same federal agency that published a large ground beef recall for 131,300 pounds of hamburger produced by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc.
E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker, a leading national attorney representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks, is investigating the outbreak in Butler County, Ohio, and accepting cases from families and individuals sickened by this potentially lethal human pathogen. The federal government currently bans E. coli O157:H7 from ground beef, meaning the mere presence of the bacteria is illegal and actionable when people are harmed. Pritzker is providing free case consultations at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or will respond to those who leave contact information. His firm has successfully represented Ohioans in previous food poisoning lawsuits and Pritzker has recovered tens of millions for E. coli victims around the country.
First and foremost, the Tyson products subject to recall have a “BEST BEFORE OR FREEZE BY” date of “SEP 12 2011″ and the establishment number “245D” ink jetted along the package seam. When available, our firm will post the complete retail distribution list of the potentially contaminated ground beef and the list is expected to include stores, including Kroger, in many states beyond Ohio. Consumers should act with extreme caution and check labels because E. coli O157:H7 cannot be detected by odor and color of meat is not a reliable indicator for the safe cooking of contaminated hamburger. Bugs located in the center of a patty or meatball can survive because temperatures don’t always reach the 160 degrees needed to kill them.
USDA announced the Tyson ground beef E. coli recall after the agency was notified by the Ohio Department of Health of E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses located in Butler County, an area centered in Hamilton, north of Cincinnati. Illness onset dates range from September 8-11, 2011. “The on-going investigation involved collecting leftover ground beef from the patients’ home on Sept. 19 which tested positive for E. coli O157:H7,” USDA wrote.
Ohio Hamburger Recall Information:
- 5-pound chubs of Kroger-brand “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 40-pound cases containing eight chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 QW.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Ind. and Tenn. for retail sale.
- 3-pound chubs of Butcher’s Brand “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 LWIF.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in N.C. and S.C. for retail sale.
- 3-pound chubs of a generic label “GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN – 27% FAT,” packed in 36-pound cases each containing 12 chubs. Cases bear an identifying product code of “D-0211 LWI.” These products were produced on Aug. 23, 2011 and were shipped to distribution centers in Del., Fla., Ga., Md., Ill., Ind., Mo., N.Y., Ohio, Tenn., Texas and Wis. for retail sale.
Hamburger E. coli Outbreaks in Michigan and Ohio
Hamburger E. coli outbreaks in Michigan and Ohio have occurred simultaneously, reminding all consumers and health professionals of a persistent food safety hazard in the United States: Shiga-toxin producing strains of E. coli in ground beef that survive the cooking process.
E. coli O157:H7 in particular is banned by the federal government from ground beef because of its insidious threat to public health. It’s invevitable that other strains will be outlawed, but Congress has been slow to catch up to the science that demonstrates other strains are just as dangerous as O157:H7. The distinction is important because it holds meatpackers to a higher safety standard with penalties to match — including more certain sanctions from hamburger E. coli lawsuits.
Here’s a brief rundown so far of the two current hamburger E. coli outbreaks in Michigan and Ohio:
In Cincinnati, J.B. Meats is recalling approximately 72,800 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The company was notified on Aug. 12, 2011 of an investigation of two E. coli O157:H7 illnesses that may be linked to J.B. ground beef. The link is tentative and recall is precautionary — but it covers a whole year of production. Restaurants in the Cincinnati area have been users of the meat.
The recalled J.B. Meats products are 5 and 10 pound clear packages of ground beef and ground beef
patties in various size packages that were processed on and can be identified by the dates August
18, 2010 through August 18, 2011. Each clear plastic bag and label bare the establishment number “EST. 1188” within the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection.
In North Branch, Michigan, our attorneys are continuing their investigation of an E. coli O157:NM outbreak that has been linked to the consumption of ground beef from McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC. At least nine people have been sickened. Known case patients range in age from 15 to 88 and live in Michigan counties of Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac. All nine victims reported consuming ground beef either at local restaurants supplied by McNees or by purchasing beef directly from the company’s retail counter. McNees has recalled 2,200 pounds of beef believed to be tainted by E.coli O157:NM.
National food saftey law firm PritzkerOlsen is one of the very few legal groups in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have recovered tens of millions of dollars for E. coli victims in every corner of the U.S. Ground beef E. coli lawsuits are complex and not all firms have the experience to properly investigate an outbreak or prepare for a trial.
For a free E. coli case consultation, contact a lawyer in our office at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit your contact information online.
Cincinnati, Ohio E. coli O157:H7 Illnesses Linked to J.B. Meats Ground Beef and Hamburger Patties
After Cincinnati, Ohio health officials found a possible link between two cases of E. coli O157:H7 and hamburgers processed by J.B. Meats and served at area restaurants, the company recalled about 72,800 pounds of ground beef and hamburger patties due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The products subject to the J.B. Meats recall are 5 and 10 pound clear packages of ground beef and ground beef patties in various size packages that were processed on and can be identified by the dates Aug. 18, 2010 through Aug. 18, 2011. J.B. Meats is a Cincinnati, Ohio establishment.
The recalled ground beef and hamburger patties were sold to restaurants in the Cincinnati area, but the company did not say which restaurants. Each clear plastic bag and label bear the establishment number “EST. 1188” within the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection.
J.B. Meats said it was notified on Aug. 12 of an investigation of two E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. The Cincinnati Health Department reported there were two patients who became ill on July 20 and 21 that may have resulted from ground beef consumed on July 16 and 17, the company said.
Epidemiological and microbiological evidence points to a possible link between the ground beef products produced by J.B. Meats on July 15 and the illnesses in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company said the recall is precautionary, as there has been no conclusive link between the illnesses and the ground beef produced at the facility.
E. coli O157 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), both severe illnesses that can cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage (seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.), heart failure, pancreatitis and death.
