Frozen Beef Trim Recall: E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Approximately 27,000 pounds of frozen beef trim have been recalled by three companies in the United States due to a risk that the meat may be contaminated with E. Coli O157:H7, which could cause severe food poisoning.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted three separate frozen beef trim recalls on their website October 8, 2008, involving meat imported by U.S. distributors from Nicaragua.

Colorado Food Products recalled 2340 pounds of frozen beef trim, Astro Meats & Seafood, Inc. recalled approximately 4200 pounds and A.C.S. Meyners Ltda.recalled of roughly 20,460 pounds of the meat.

All of the frozen beef products were manufactured on August 19, 2008, and exported in 60-pound bulk boxes labeled “BM-95 BONELESS BEEF.” The three companies issuing the beef recall then sent the frozen meat to establishments and distributors in California, Indiana, Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania.

The original packaging when the meat was imported from Nicaragua contained “Nicaragua 4” as the establishment number within the Nicaraguan mark of inspection. The shipping label displayed the item number “00003” and a manufacturing date of “8-19-08”. However, some of the products that were available for consumer purchase may not be in the same packaging.

It was discovered that the frozen beef trim may be contaminated with the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 during routine FSIS microbiological sampling.

E coli O157:H7 is one of the most common bacteria associated with food poisoning. It can result in symptoms such as abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea. While most cases of E. coli O157:H7 food poisoning only result in temporary illness, it can cause kidney failure associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).