Kroger Beef Recall Expanded as Food Poisoning Lawsuits Filed

One week after issuing a recall for ground beef sold in two states, Krogers announced today that they are expanding the recall to include any ground beef sold at stores in more than 20 states. At least two lawsuits have already been filed against the national grocer by individuals who suffered severe food poisoning caused by E. coli, and dozens of other cases have been reported among individuals who ate contaminated meat.

On June 25 Kroger issued a ground beef recall for products sold in Michigan and Ohio between May 31 and June 8. The contaminated beef was produced by Nebraska Beef, Ltd., which has recalled nearly 532,000 pounds of ground beef from wholesalers and food processors. As a precaution, Kroger announced Wednesday that they were expanding their recall to include all ground beef with sell by dates of May 21 or later from any stores which had received beef produced by Nebraska Beef.

The ground beef recall applies to products sold from the butcher case, as well as ground beef wrapped in cellophane with a Styrofoam tray. It does not include frozen ground beef patties or sealed tubes of ground beef. In addition to Kroger stores, the potentially contaminated ground beef could have been sold at Fred Meyer, QFC, Ralphs, Smith’s, Baker’s, King Soopers, City Markets, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s.

The recall of all beef products does not apply to Kroger stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessess. However, 16 oz. Private Selection Natural ground beef with “sell by” dates between July 11 and July 21 were sold at all stores, including those in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Symptoms of E. Coli food poisoning could include diarrhea, which may be bloody, stomach cramps and vomiting. Most health adults they recover within a few days, however, the elderly, young children and those with weak immune system could suffer more severe injuries. At least one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure caused by E. coli, has been associated with the Kroger’s beef recall.

Local television news stations in Ohio have reported that at least two food poisoning lawsuits have already been filed against Kroger as a result of the contaminated beef.