E. Coli Prompts Illinois Firm to Recall Ground Beef Products

E. coli worries have prompted E. S. Miller Packing Co. of Montgomery, Ill. to recall some ground beef products. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the recall involves around 219 lbs of ground meat that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Unfortunately, recalls of E. coli tainted meat are not rare. We recently reported that JBS Swift Beef issued a recall of approximately 41,280 pounds of beef products over E. coli contamination concerns. JBS Swift later expanded its original recall to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal products. That tainted beef has been associated with at least 23 illnesses in multiple states.

The ground beef products in this latest recall were produced from July 7, 2009, through July 10, 2009, and were distributed to consumers and several local restaurants in the Montgomery and Paw Paw, Ill., areas, located in northern Illinois.

The products subject to recall include:

10-pound Cryovaced bags of bulk “EDWARD S. MILLER PACKING CO., GROUND BEEF.” Each bag bears the establishment number “EST. 34342” inside the USDA mark of inspection and case codes of “070709,” “070809,” “070909” or “071009.”

2- and 15-pound boxes “EDWARD S. MILLER PACKING CO., GROUND BEEF PATTIES.” Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 34342” inside the USDA mark of inspection and case codes of “070709,” “070809,” “070909” or “071009.”

Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Owner Jeffrey Reuland at (630) 820-7077.