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.

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 Nationwide

Delaware
Dover AFB in Dover Delaware

Illinois
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-Illinois

Indiana
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-Indiana

North 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

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.

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.

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.

Our attorneys are investigating the outbreak, which has been linked to ground beef products from McNees Meats and Wholesale, LLC, in North Branch, Michigan. In response to the outbreak, McNees Meats recalled about 2,200 pounds of ground beef that was distributed through the company store at 6267 Old State Road, North Branch, MI, and also sold to retail establishments and restaurants in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Mich.

The list of recalled McNees ground beef products includes:

• 1 and 10-lb. clear packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk.”
• 1 to1.5-lb., approximate weight clear plastic bags of “McNees Ground beef patties.”
• 1-lb. packages of “McNees Ground Round.”
• 1 and 2-lb packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk” sold in red and white plastic bags.

People who have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak may be able to file an E. coli lawsuit and recover money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. The E. coli attorneys at Pritzker Olsen have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of E. coli victims and victims of other food borne pathogens.

Contact the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen for a free case evaluation >>

The 11th case was confirmed and announced by the Sullivan County Regional Health Department: “The source of the bacteria has not been identified and our staff is working closely with the Northeast Regional Health Office in Johnson City to investigate the source of illness.”  The notice emphasized that the outbreak in eight counties of Northeast Tennessee is not related to the European E. coli outbreak that is centered in northern Germany, killing 26 people.

If you or a loved one has symptoms of E. coli infection highlighted by painful stomach cramps and bloody or watery diarrhea, immediately contact your physician. Doctor’s offices will know to tell public health investigators about any new cases and you may be interviewed about your food history and about other possible exposures to the pathogen.

A Tennessee E. coli lawsuit may be filed if officials can trace the source of the illnesses. National food safety law office PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is conducting its own investigation and is accepting cases from those individuals and families who have been afflicted at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or send contact information. Our law firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation and we have won tens of millions of dollars over the years for victims of  E. coli HUS and other complications from food poisoning.  The high expense of medical treatment for E. coli poisoning caused by a food purveyor’s negligence should not fall on the victim.

Families should heed food safety warnings to cook all ground beef and other meat to internal temperatures of 160 degrees to kill any potential E. coli bacteria.  E. coli O157:H7 also can contaminate raw milk, many varieties of fresh produce, shelled nuts, cheese and other food.

E. coli O157:H7 is a strain of bacteria that produces a toxin that can cause hemorrhagic colitis. This illness can develop into an extremely serious condition known as HUS, or  hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure, brain damage, strokes, and seizures in young children and the elderly. This pathogen can survive both refrigerator and freezer storage.

E. coli O157:H7 is banned by the federal government from hamburger because the bacteria is highly toxic and can rest in the middle of a hamburger or meatball, where the organisms easily survive in undercooked meat. Obviously, that measure hasn’t stopped ground beef E. coli outbreaks from happening. In July 2009, for instance, state and federal health officials announced a multi-state E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and recall of 380,000 pounds of beef cuts from JBS Swift Beef Co. designed for grinding into hamburgers. At least 23 people in nine states were sickened, including 12 who were hospitalized and two who developed HUS.

Because E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef is a classified adulterant, you and your family have special legal rights to press for recoveries against the meatpacker and other companies in the supply chain who sold the adulterated product. National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is currently representing ground beef E. coli victims and is considered a leading representative of all victims of food poisoning. As one of the few firms in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness, we have recovered tens of millions of dollars for the families who have suffered injury and loss.

To contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen for a free case consultation, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete one of our online contact forms with information about your case. Our law firm does not get paid until you win.

E. coli O157:H7, a pathogen that produces dangerous Shiga toxin once anchored in a person’s intestines. In 8-15 percent of infections, patients develop HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe disease that results in death about 5 percent of the time. Tragically, children under 5 are in the age group most affected by HUS.

Creekstone Farms of  Arkansas City, Kansas, sold the 10-pound chubs of  beef  to outlets in Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington for further processing into ground beef. Each case label was marked with the USDA establishment number “EST. 27″. The Creekstone Farms recall, announced March 8, covered 14,578 pounds of ground beef products. The problem was discovered through third party lab results.

In 2010, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef LLC was in the news for a different reason. On June 17, 2010, the  U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the meatpacker for allegedly exposing workers to a potential catastrophic release of ammonia at its meat processing facility.

OSHA’s inspection, initiated in December 2009, found 20 alleged serious violations and one alleged repeat violation. The serious violations primarily stem from hazardous deficiencies in the company’s process safety management of the ammonia refrigeration system. The repeat violation stems from a failure to provide machine guarding to protect employees from amputation hazards created by rotating and moving parts of a saw. In addition, machine guarding was not adequate for dumpers or packing machines. A repeat violation is issued when an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facilities in federal enforcement states within the last three years.

E. coli O157:H7 may contaminate this hamburger meat and restaurants are urged to check their refrigerator and freezer stocks for ground beef stamped with “EST1913″  inside the USDA mark of inspection. “These  products were distributed to restaurants throughout southern California,” FSIS said.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure.  Children under 5, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider. E. coli O157:H7 is one of the most dangerous of all pathogens in food. Five to 15 percent of people who become infected by it develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

These diseases can cause severe injury not only to a person’s kidney, but also to the case patient’s heart, brain and nervous system.  HUS-TTP is the leading cause of E. coli death, including HUS child death. E. coli lawyers at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., are available to answer questions about lawsuits and compensation for E. coli poisoning victims at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form. E. coli O157:H7 is banned from ground beef in the United States and manufacturers of the product can be held liable for harms caused by it.

The following products are subject to recall:

• (559002) American Companies 100% Pure Ground Beef 30-lb. case
• (552102) American Companies 2/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (553102) American Companies 3/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (554102) American Companies 4/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (554106) American Companies 4/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (554302) American Companies 4/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (555302) American Companies 5/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (556102) American Companies 6/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (553302) American Companies 3/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (554402) American Companies 4/1 J Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case
• (557102) American Companies 7/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (556106) American Companies 6/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (552106) American Companies 2/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case
• (559004) American Companies Ground Beef Bulk 80% Lean Taco Grind 60-lb. case
• (559202) American Companies 100% Pure Ground Beef For Chili (Coarse Grind) 30-lb. case.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using the E. coli O157:H7 ground beef results as an indicator of industry trends or as a measure of pathogen control programs required at each plant. FSIS views results from the “verification” samples from federal establishments as the best indicator of the overall trend of the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef. This is a key performance measure and it is tracked by E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys, one of the few very law firms in the country practicing  extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.

Over the past five years, the high-water mark for positive test results for E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef at federally inspected plants was .47 percent in 2008.  In that year, FSIS confirmed 53 positive results from 11,230 samples of raw ground beef.

In 2009, the rate of positive test results dropped to .30 percent  (36 positive results from 12,065 samples) and last year the rate was .26 percent, or 30 confirmed positive E. coli O157:H7 test results from 11,380 samples. The 2009 and 2010 positive test result rates were higher than those posted by FSIS in 2007 and 2006.

So far this year, at least through January 23, 2011, there were no positive test results in 652 samples. The selection process has remained the same since the program was initiated, but the number of samples scheduled for a specific month can change. For instance, there have been 200 fewer test samples this year than a year ago at this time.

If you or a loved one has been sickened by E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef or other food, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other harms. Pritzker Olsen will provide you with a free case consultation and answer any legal questions you may have about pursuing a claim at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). Our law firm represents victims in nearly every confirmed outbreak of foodborne illness in the United States and we are actively involved in numerous efforts to prevent food poisoning. Currently, one in six Americans becomes a victim of foodborne illness every year.