The USDA recalled 10 lb. pageages of “National Beef” 80/20 Coarse Ground Chuck. The exact details can be found under the News Release portion of USDA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 33 persons have been infected with the deadly Shinga Toxin producing Escherichia coli commonly referenced as (STECO157:H7). The major concern with this toxin is that young children, the elderly, or otherwise immune-compromised individuals, may develop HUS. HUS is a type of kidney failure that can result in kidney failure and death. Symptoms develop over a period of 4-7 days after consumption and include vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, and fatigue. If you have eaten this product and you are experiencing the above symptoms within the incubation period seek medical help immediately.
There have been no reports accounted for in Montana. There have been 2 cases of HUS which have resulted as of this date. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (or hemolytic-uraemic syndrome), abbreviated HUS, is a disease characterized by HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA (anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells), ACUTE KIDNEY FAILURE (UREMIA), and a low PLATELET count (THROMBOCYTOPENIA). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemolytic-uremic_syndrome. This condition is often caused by the STEC) 157:H7 toxin. In other outbreaks, it has led to death. In many situations, physicians will treat symptoms with anti-biotics. This makes the situation worse in most cases. If HUS is detected in my opinion only a top-level trauma center would be recommended. Since there are no such trauma centers here in Montana and Oregonor Flathead County, patients in my experience have been successfully treated at Sacred Heart in Spokane, Harbor View, and Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital.
The Department of Agriculture has detected the toxin from the National Beef Packing Co. in Liberal Kansas. Approximately 23,000 pounds have been recalled.
Although no cases have been reported yet in Montana, the CDC is concerned that the beef may still be in freezers. Moreover, much of the plant's products are sold to fast food distributors which could enlarge the outbreak to other states including Montana. Moreover, the condition travels with you. If you consume the product at a fast-food restaurant in another state then you may suffer from E. Coli although there are no reported cases here in Montana and Oregonyet. Often it takes a year to understand the full extent of an outbreak.
If you are unsure, contact your local health department they will take down your symptoms and compare them with those of the particular outbreak identified by the CDC. If you feel you have suffered food poisoning obtain medical attention without delay and contact our office to protect your legal rights. We fight for those who suffer from unsafe food production.
Written by Scott L. Anderson, food poisoning attorney, licensed in Montana, Oregon Alaska
WASHINGTON, June 18, 2013 – National Beef Packing Co., a Liberal, Kan., establishment, is recalling approximately 22,737 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following products are subject to recall: • 10 lb. packages of “National Beef” 80/20 Coarse Ground Chuck, package code “0481.” • 10 lb. packages of “National Beef” 81/19 Coarse Ground Beef, package code “0421.” • 10 lb. packages of “National Beef” 80/20 Fine Ground Chuck, package code “0484.”
All these products have a “USE BY/SELL BY DATE” of June 14, 2013, and bear the establishment number “EST. 208A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on May 25, 2013, and shipped to various institutions and retail establishments in Texas, Tennessee, Kansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Arizona. FSIS and the establishment are concerned that some product may be frozen and in shoppers’ freezers. The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E.coli O157:H7. An investigation determined the firm was the sole supplier of the source materials used to produce the positive product. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website here.