E. Coli O157:H7 Outbreak Results in Beef Recall for 248,000 Pounds of Meat

Following reports of E. coli food poisoning in at least six states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall of nearly 250,000 pounds of beef on Christmas eve.

The beef recall involves a variety of products from National Steak and Poultry, of Owasso, Oklahoma. The action was taken as a result of an investigation into a cluster of food poisoning illnesses that were connected to the O157:H7 strain of E. coli and tracked back to the National Steak and Poultry beef products.

Beef product E. coli cases has been identified in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Washington. The number of victims affected by the food poisoning outbreak has not been released.

The recall affects 248,000 pounds of a large variety of National Steak and Poultry non-intact steak products that have been blade tenderized. Recalled products include boneless sirloin steak, boneless beef tips, sirloin tips, bacon wrapped beef fillets, beef shoulder marinated tender medallions, beef trimmings, sirloin Philly steak, beef sirloin tri tip, skirt steak and skirt steak pieces. The beef products were sold under the National Steak and Poultry, EGN, KRM, Moe’s and Carino’s labels. A full list of the recalled products is available on the FSIS recall notice.

All of the recalled beef has the establishment number “EST. 6010T” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the labels and packaging dates of “10/12/2009,” “10/13/2009,” “10/14/2009,” or “10/21/2009.” The products were sold to restaurants nationwide.

E. coli O157:H7 is one of the more common causes of food poisoning in the United States. When left untreated, it can lead to dehydration and potentially life-threatening illness. While most healthy adults recover within a few week from E. coli food poisoning, young children and the elderly could be at risk for more severe illness. If the toxin enters the blood stream, E. coli could also lead to kidney failure known as Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS).