E. coli Infections in Three More States

July 2008

Jul 15 2008 UPDATE –E. coli infections traced to tainted beef from Ohio and Michigan have been reported in three new states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York, Kentucky and Indiana each have one confirmed case of a bacterial infection that matches the 41 previously reported cases. All 44 illnesses have been attributed to the same type of E. coli that causes a potentially deadly bacterial infection.

Jul 3 2008 ORIGINAL ALERT –Amid news of illnesses caused by the E. coli bacteria, the Kroger Co. expanded its voluntary recall of ground beef products to include stores in more than 20 states. Nebraska Beef Ltd., one of Kroger's suppliers, has also recalled 5.3 million pounds of ground beef from wholesalers and other processing companies.

The expanded recall includes beef sold at Fred Meyer, QFC, Ralphs, Smith's, Baker's, King Soopers, City Markets, Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less and Scott's. Nebraska Beef's products have been linked to an outbreak of E. coli illnesses that have sickened 40 people in Ohio and Michigan. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said that the meat may have been produced in "unsanitary conditions."

The tainted meat was produced between May 16 and June 26. E. coli infection can lead to severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. While most people recover within a week, E. coli infections can be fatal for those with weak immune systems, such as the elderly or young children. E. coil sickens about 73,000 people in the United States every year.