Recall Lawsuit » Beef Recall

BJ’s Wholesale Club: Ground Beef Recalled for Possible E coli 026 Contamination

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:07:45 +0000

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., Wyalusing, PA, has recalled approximately 8,500 pounds of ground beef. To date, all of the hamburger in this recall was distributed to BJ’s Wholesale Club stores (see the BJ’s Wholesale Club ground beef recall list). A multi-state outbreak of illnesses caused by E coli 026 has been associated with Cargill ground beef. The USDA reported that Maine and New York have confirmed cases of E. coli O26. Most E. coli outbreaks linked to hamburger tend to sicken people in many states due to the way ground beef is distributed and repackaged.

E. coli 026 is a serious illness, even fatal in the very young, seniors and those with weakened immune systems. Ground beef contaminated with E. coli O26 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the United States. HUS can also cause stroke, coma, blindness, heart problems, pancreatitis and death.

The USDA recommends checking your freezer for ground beef associated with this recall. If you have destroyed the packaging, and you shop at BJ’s Wholesale Club, you should throw the ground beef away. Be sure to follow proper food safety regulations dealing with food preparation and clean-up. Cross contamination is a real danger. As always, be sure to cook any beef to a core temperature of 160 degrees.

According to the UDSA-FSIS, the ground beef was repackaged and re-branded. The re-branding is significant legally because E. coli victims may be able to sue both Cargill and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

PritzkerOlsen, P.A. is a national E. coli litigation law firm. Our lawyers have appeared on CBS News, Fox News and other news stations discussing E. coli litigation and food safety. Our law firm has taken on food giant Cargill in the past and won. Our lawyers are available for a free Cargill lawsuit consultation.

Cargill Ground Beef Recall: Link to E. coli 026 Contamination – BJ’s Wholesale Club

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:13:54 +0000

Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, of Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, has issued a recall of approximately 8,500 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O26. The recall was issued following a cluster of confirmed E. coli 026 illnesses in Maine and New York.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) were first notified of the E. coli 026 outbreak August 5, 2010. Two E. coli 026 cases have been identified in Maine, as well as one in New York. By PFGE subtyping, the FSIS determined that there is an association between the ground beef products subject to recall and the cluster of illnesses in Maine and New York.

The ground beef products being recalled were shipped with the following label:

The ground beef on this recall was produced on June 11, 2010, and shipped to distribution centers in Connecticut and Maryland for further distribution. That means that these products were repackaged into consumer-size packages and sold under different retail brand names. To date, the only retail store identified by the USDA is BJ’s Wholesale Club. The locations include:

BJ’s Wholesale Club, 1046 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT-Connecticut
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 110 Mt. Auburn Ave., Auburn, ME-Maine
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 513 Warren Avenue, Portland, ME-Maine
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 4201 Wholesale Club Drive, Baltimore, MD-Maryland
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 287 Washington Street, Attleboro, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 777 Washington St., Auburn, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 115 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 105 Shops At 5 Way, Plymouth, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 5 Ward St, Revere, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 85 Cedar St, Stoneham, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club. 2085 Bay St., Taunton, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 66 Seyon St, Waltham, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 622 Washington St, Weymouth, MA-Massachusetts
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 400 Quality Dr., Hooksett, NH-New Hampshire
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 8 Sexton Ave., Nashua, NH-New Hampshire
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 262 Plainfield Rd., West Lebanon, NH-New Hampshire
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 941 Route 37 W, Tom River, NJ-New Jersey
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 1440 Central Ave., Albany, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 5183 Transit Rd., Clarence, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Two Chevy Dr., East Syracuse, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 131-07 40th Rd., Ste. A100, Flushing, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 300 Bellwood Dr., Greece, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 232 Larkin Dr., Monroe, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 756 State Highway 28, Oneonta, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 3303 Crompond Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY-New York
BJ’s Wholesale Club, 2301 Taylor Rd., Chesapeake, VA-Virginia

If you or a family member has been sickened with E. coli 026 after eating ground beef, contact our law firm for a free consultation about an E. coli ground beef recall lawsuit. Our E. coli lawyers have recovered millions for food poisoning victims. For more information, visit our website, www.pritzkerlaw.com.

Safeway Recalls Frozen Ground Beef Patties

klawill — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:13:09 +0000

Safeway Inc. is voluntarily recalling Butcher’s Cut frozen ground beef patties that may be contaminated with E coli 0157:H7. These products were sold in Safeway, Vons, Pavilions and Pak ‘N Save stores in California, Hawaii and Nevada. This frozen ground beef patties recall is in cooperation with the beef recall by Valley Meat Company.

Attorney Fred Pritzker discusses the Valley Meat Company Beef Recall.

The frozen ground beef patties recalled by Safeway are stamped with a “Best Before” date of January 7, 2011. The “Best Before” date is located near the zipper closure on the 10-count packages and on the side of the 32-count boxes. The following products are included in the Safeway ground beef recall:

Butcher’s Cut 100% Ground Beef Patties 73% Lean/ 27% Fat. 2.5 pound, 10-count packages sold after January 13, 2010. (2,388 resealable packages)
Butcher’s Cut 100% Ground Beef Patties 80% Lean/ 20% Fat. 2.5 pound, 10-count packages sold after January 12, 2010. (1,008 resealable packages)
Butcher’s Cut 100% Ground Beef Patties 73% Lean/ 27% Fat. 128 ounce, 32-count boxes sold after January 12, 2010. (279 boxes)

Customers are instructed to check their freezers for any of these products. If any recalled frozen ground beef patties are found, discard them or return them to the local store for a full refund.

Safeway further stated that no illnesses have been reported in connection with their Butcher’s Cut products. However, there have been at least 7 confirmed cases of E coli poisoning reported in connection with other recalled ground beef processed by Valley Meat Company.

Valley Meat Ground Beef E. coli Recall and Outbreak

Fred Pritzker — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:31:35 +0000

An E. coli beef recall has followed a California E. coli outbreak that has sickened 7 people, health officials say. Valley Meat Company of Modesto, California is recalling one million pounds of frozen ground beef patties and other ground beef products because they could be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) notified the FSIS of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in mid-July. The illnesses shared the same PFGE type, or “genetic fingerprint.”

The potentially contaminated ground beef products have the establishment number “EST. 8268″ noted in the USDA mark of inspection and production codes 25709 through 01210. Manufactured between October 2009 and January 2010, these recalled products were distributed to retail stores and institutional foodservice facilities in the following states:

California
Texas
Oregon
Arizona

Watch the FSIS retail distribution information updates for specific information on retail locations where the potentially contaminated beef was sold. According to the FSIS announcement:

“FSIS and the establishment are concerned that some product may still be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. FSIS strongly encourages consumers to check their freezers and immediately discard any product that is the subject of this recall.”

Valley Meat Company Beef Recall: Product Details

(#2155) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 8/1R
(#2503) SMASHBURGER 40/7 OZ. – VAC PACK
(#2510) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 OVAL
(#2515) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 R
(#2535) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1 OVAL
(#2545) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1R
(#2575) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 4/1R
(#2595) IQF – 80/20% PATTIES 4/1R THIN
(#2605) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 5/1R
(#2635) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 6/1R
(#2668) BEEF CHUCK PATTIES 7 OZ- 21#
(#3075) *IQF* 85/15% PATTIES 4/1R USFI
(#3090) ‘RPQ’ 85/15 PATTIES 160/4 OZ.
(#3325) “RPQ” 90/10 BEEF PATTIES 40/4 OZ
(#3350) 90/10% BEEF PATTIES 160/4 OZ.
(#3450)SUPREMAS BEEF PATTIES 12/3#
(#3519) *IQF* 4/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3520) *IQF* 5/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3522) *IQF* 6/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%
(#3675) BEEF SOY PATTIES RETAIL 6/5#
(#3700) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3#
(#3705) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 6/5#
(#3710) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES – 8/3#
(#3715) BIGGER VALLEY BURGER – 6/5#
(#3725) 80/20 BIGGER BURGER 12/3#
(#3751) 80/20% RETAIL PATTIES 12/3#
(#3800) 85/15% RETAIL PATTIES – 12/3#
(#3850) BLACK ANGUS BURGER 12/2# BOX
(#3875) 93/7% BEEF PATTIES 12/3# RETAIL
(#3880) SAFEWAY 73/27 RETAIL BOXES 8#
(#3882) SAFEWAY 73/27 PATTIES 12/2.5#
(#3883) SAFEWAY 80/20 PATTIES 12/2.5#
(#4000) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 10/1#
(#4001) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 20/2#
(#4005) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 40/1#
(#4015) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4020) 73/27% GROUND BEEF – 8/5#
(#4030) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4035) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 15/3#
(#4300) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 10/1#
(#4305) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 40/1#
(#4310) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4315) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 8/5#
(#4325) 80/20% GROUND BEEF – 4/10#
(#4326)*FRESH** 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4328)80/20 GROUND BEEF 4/10# WHITE BOX
(#4329) ‘RPQ’ 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4335)80/20% GROUND BEEF 2/5# – PRINTED
(#4610) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/5#
(#4615) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 8/5#
(#4625) “RPQ” 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(#4630) 85/15% G B 4/10# CLEAR-generic
<>(#4915) 90/10% GROUND BEEF – 8/5#
(#4925) 90/10% GROUND BEEF 4/10# / WHITE
(#4930) 90/10% G B 4/10# / CLEAR-generic
(#4980) 93/7% GROUND BEEF 4/10#
(2714) HEARST 80/20 PATTIES 5/1R -10#
(2715) HEARST GROUND BEEF 12/1# RETAIL

E. coli is a harmful foodborne pathogen that poses particular dangers to children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. It can develop into hemolytic uremic syndrome, or E. coli HUS, which is a life-threatening condition that damages the kidneys. Anyone who thinks they may be sick with an E. coli infection should immediately visit a doctor and get tested for the pathogen.

E. coli Recall of Ground Beef by South Gate Meat Co.

Fred Pritzker — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:30:30 +0000

A ground beef recall has been issued by a California company due to E. coli contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

South Gate Meat Company of South Gate, California has recalled about 35,000 pounds of ground beef products after FSIS testing indicated contamination of E. coli O157:H7 in some samples. The recalled products bear the code “EST. 6217″ inside the USDA mark of inspection and were produced June 7-June 21 of this year. Sold to restaurants in Los Angeles and Orange County, the detailed description of the recalled beef includes:

20-, 30- and 40-pound bulk packages of “SOUTH GATE MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF.”
30-, 40-, and 50-pound bulk packages of “SOUTH GATE MEAT CO. COARSE GROUND BEEF.”
10- and 20-pound packages of “SOUTH GATE MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTIES.

Consumers should NOT eat the recalled meat and if they believe they are sick with E. coli they should visit a doctor, get tested for E. coli and report the case to their local health department if their E. coli test is positive.

E. coli Contamination in Beef and E. coli Infections

How does E. coli contaminate food supplies? It is a bacterium that lives in the stomachs of cattle. There are many strains of E. coli and not all of them sicken humans. However, those that do can easily live in animals’ digestive systems without making the animals sick.

During the slaughtering process, manure from cattle farms can get onto the bodies of the cattle being slaughtered, and onto the cuts of meat that are then distributed for sale and consumption. Ground beef poses a particular E. coli hazard because the beef is eventually ground up. That means any E. coli bacteria that was on the surface of the meat then becomes ground into the whole beef patty–so E. coli may no longer be on the surface of the meat where it can easily be killed by cooking. It is now deep inside the beef patty. This is why the FSIS advises that consumers cook their beef to a certain temperature.

Symptoms of an E. coli infection usually include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Many people suffer these painful symptoms but recover. However, in serious cases the infection can develop into E. coli HUS, or hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Huntington Beef E. coli Recall Expanded

Fred Pritzker — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:47:34 +0000

A Huntington Meat Packing Co. recall has been expanded since the initial January recall of over 800,000 pounds of potentially E. coli-contaminated beef.

The Montebello, Calif. establishment expanded the recall to include 4.9 million additional pounds of beef and veal products, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). According to an FSIS statement:

“The recall was expanded based on evidence collected in an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with assistance from FSIS. This evidence shows that the products subject to this recall expansion were produced in a manner that did not follow the establishment’s Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan.”

The expanded beef and veal E. coli recall includes the following products:

10 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
10 lb. boxes of “El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES”
20 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
50 lb. boxes of “HUNTINGTON MEATS GROUND BEEF”
50 lb. boxes of ” HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING”
50 lb. boxes of “BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX”
50 lb. boxes of “HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. DICED BEEF”
50 lb. boxes of “HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. SLICED BEEF”
10 lb. boxes of “Huntington Meat VEAL PATTY”
10 lb. boxes of “Imperial Meat VEAL PATTY”
10 lb. boxes of “El Rancho VEAL PATTY”
20 lb. boxes of “Huntington Meat VEAL PATTY”
20 lb. boxes of “Imperial Meat VEAL PATTY”
20 lb. boxes of “El Rancho VEAL PATTY”

E. coli food poisoning is a particular risk for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In serious cases, an E. coli infection can develop into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and potentially lead to kidney failure.

Huntington Beef E. coli Recall Involves Over 800,000 Pounds of Meat

Fred Pritzker — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:10:47 +0000

E. coli contamination fears prompted a recall of 864,000 pounds of beef products by Huntington Meat Packing Inc., of Montebello, Calif., the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

The various beef products include beef patties and burrito filling, as well as beef ground for further processing. There are two sets of products involved in this recall:

The first group of recalled beef products were produced between January 5 and 15 and shipped to distribution centers, restaurants and hotels throughout the state of California. The recalled products have the establishment number “EST. 17967″ and include:

40 lb. boxes of “Huntington Meats Ground Beef”
40 lb. boxes of “HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING”
40 lb. boxes of “BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX”
10 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
20 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY”
10 lb. boxes of “El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES”

The second group involves the same products bearing the same establishment number, but they were produced between February and May 2008. According to the FSIS:

“While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce.”

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can be particularly harmful to small children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. In serious cases, this pathogen can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (E. coli HUS), which destroys red blood cells and can develop into acute kidney failure. Initial signs and symptoms of E. coli HUS may include:

Bloody diarrhea
Painful cramps
Fever
Irritability
Lethargy

Anyone concerned about an illness related to recalled beef products should contact their physician.

Ground Beef Recall Due to E. coli Concerns

Elliot Olsen — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:19:49 +0000

A Massachusetts ground beef E. coli recall was announced yesterday by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The recall, issued by Adams Farm Slaughterhouse, LLC., an Athol, Mass., involves 2,574 pounds of ground beef products that could be contaminated with the harmful pathogen E. coli O157:H7.

E. coli is a bacterium that can cause dehydration and severe or bloody diarrhea. In those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, children and the elderly, E. coli can be especially serious, potentially causing kidney failure and hemolytic uremic syndrome (E. coli HUS).

The recall includes the following products:

1,025-pounds of “Beef Cuts and Ground” packed for Mazzarese.
697-pounds of “Beef Cuts and Ground” packed for Side Hill Farm.
852-pounds of “Beef Cuts and Ground” packed for Sweet Water Farm.

The establish number “EST. 5497″ is printed on the packages inside the USDA mark of inspection and the products bear the packaging date of “11/11/2009.”

The contaminated ground beef recall was announced after health officials at the Massachusetts Department of Public health confirmed a sample of ground beef tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. State and federal health officials then confirmed an association between this beef and one illness in Massachusetts.

Steak E. coli Recall UPDATE: Applebee’s and Olive Garden Involved

Fred Pritzker — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:45:03 +0000

More states and more restaurants are involved in a multistate steak recall over E. coli O157:H7 concerns than originally announced, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.

Applebee’s and Olive Garden have been added to the list of restaurants that received the potentially tainted steak, which also includes Moe’s Southwest Grill, Carino’s Italian and 54th Street Grill, operated by KRM, Inc.

Cases of E. coli related to this recall have so far totaled 21 people in 16 states, nine of which resulted in hospitalization and one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The following map is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and shows the number of cases in each state.

Steak E. coli Recall Affects Moes, Carinos, KRM Restaurants

Fred Pritzker — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:47:57 +0000

National Steak and Poultry, the Oklahoma-based meat supplier that recalled 248,000 pounds of potentially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 on Dec. 24, has released a statement naming restaurants where the beef was distributed:

“The recall is limited to beef products sold primarily to the Moe’s, Carino’s Italian Grill, and KRM restaurants in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Washington. These are the states where the USDA has determined there have been illnesses that could be linked to contaminated beef.”

This recall and outbreak is believed to be associated with mechanically tenderized, non-intact steaks.

Pritzker Olsen attorneys are investigating this outbreak.