Nearly 96,000 Pounds of Meat Recalled

Posted on May 29, 2009 in Consumer Goods, Recalls

Valley Meats LLC of Coal Valley, Illinois is recalling 95,898 pounds of potentially contaminated beef because it may be contaminated with E. coli, the federal government announced on Thursday.

Department of Agriculture designated the recall as “Class One,” meaning that consuming the recalled meat products could pose a dangerous health risk. The meat was distributed to establishments in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The Ohio Department of Health first reported an outbreak of illness linked to E. coli bacteria on May 13, and clusters of illnesses have since been reported in Pennsylvania and Illinois. The bacterium can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. Those most susceptible to disease include the very young, elderly and people with weakened immune systems, according to USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service.

Although the recalled products are currently not for sale, consumers should take extra caution in preparing ground beef. Make sure to wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat, and separate meat products from food that will not be cooked. Refrigerate raw meat within two hours of purchase and two hours after cooking.