E. coli Fears Lead To Beef Recall

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A Wisconsin company is voluntarily recalling nearly 96,000 pounds of ground beef products after two people were sickened, possibly with E. coli.

American Food Group, based in Green Bay, Wis., announced the recall on Saturday, said the U.S. Agriculture Department.

The products include coarse and fine ground beef chuck, sirloin and chop beef steak that were produced on Oct. 10. The meat was distributed to retailers and distributors in seven states in the East and Midwest: Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Maryland and Virginia.

The bacteria is E. coli O157:H7. E. coli is harbored in the intestines of cattle. Improper butchering and processing can cause the E. coli to get onto meat. Thorough cooking, to at least 160 degrees internal temperature, can destroy the bacteria.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and people with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to E. coli.

Consumers were urged to look in their freezers and return or throw out any of the products they may have bought. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company Executive Assistant Sally VanderHei at 800-829-2838.

The problem came to light after the Illinois Department of Health looked into two reports of people getting sick.