State public health director issues warning about illness linked to ground beef consumption         

No reported cases of E. coli from consumption of ground beef in Illinois

[May 14, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, issued a warning Friday about E. coli O157:H7, a specific strain of E. coli, associated with the consumption of some beef trim meat used to make ground beef. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that a Minnesota company has recalled 117,500 pounds of beef trim products due to possible contamination. The beef trim products were used to make ground beef, including fresh beef patties, fresh or frozen meatloaf, and ground chili meat.

The trim was produced on March 27 and was shipped to distributors and retail outlets in Arizona, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin and Illinois. Because these products later became ground beef sold under many different retail brand names, consumers should check with their local retailer to determine whether they may have purchased any of the products subject to recall. The possible contamination was discovered by the Minnesota Department of Health as part of an illness investigation.

"To date there are no cases in Illinois of anyone becoming sick with E. coli after eating these recalled ground beef products," Whitaker said. "We advise consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 degrees F. Anyone who thinks they may have experienced symptoms of illness after eating ground beef are urged to contact their health care provider."

E. coli O157:H7 is a virulent strain compared with other strains of E. coli. It causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has sent a health advisory to local health departments alerting staff of the severity of this illness.

The products subject to recall include:

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS CODE 85 TRIMMINGS, 30216085"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS CODE 90 TRIMMINGS, 30216090"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS CODE 95 TRIMMINGS, 30268295"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS OUTSIDE RND FLAT FOR USL, 30271092"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS CODE 95 TRIMMINGS, 30568295"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS SHLD CLOD FOR USL, 30214092"

• Bulk boxes of "SUPERLEAN TRIMMINGS, 30340000"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS OUTSIDE RND FLAT FOR USL, 30571092"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS TRIMMINGS, 340072"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS SHLD CLOD FOR USL, 30514092"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS CODE 95 TRIMMINGS, 30571295"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS CODE 95 TRIMMINGS, 30271295"

• Bulk boxes of "BNLS CODE 95 TRIMMINGS, 30567295"

• Bulk boxes of "PREMIUM BEEF TRIM, 1240072"

• Bulk boxes of "BEEF TRIMMINGS – PREMIUM, 240072"

• Bulk boxes of "CHUCK TRIM – SPECIAL, 240080"

• Bulk boxes of "NR CHUCK TRIM, 340080"

• Bulk boxes of "CH PREMIUM TRIM, 78240072"

• Combo bin of "BNLS CODE 8 TRIMMINGS, 40030340080"

• Combo bin of "TESTED 80% LEAN TRIMMINGS, 4000030025"

• Combo bin of "BEEF TRIM CODE 5, 40000340050"

• Combo bin of "CODE 6 TRIM, 40000340865"

Each box bears the establishment number "Est. 683," as well as a net weight declaration.

[Text from Illinois Department of Public Health news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]