For the second time in less than 30 days, Cargill has recalled ground beef due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The recall on October 6 involved 845,000 pounds of ground beef hamburger patties; today's recall involves over 1 million pounds of ground beef.

States impacted by the recall are: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Residents of these states should look in their freezers for ground beef products that are on the list of recalled Cargill ground beef products.

The ground beef products involved in today's recall were produced between October 8 and 11, 2007, at the company's plant in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania. Cargill learned of the possibility of contamination after the USDA returned a confirmed positive on a sample of product produced Oct. 8, 2007. Today is November 3, 26 days after that contaminated sample was produced. This ground beef should have been recalled the day there was any evidence of possible contamination. If that date was before the ground beef was distributed, it should never have been distributed.

In addition to Cargill, other manufacturers of ground beef products and other products (Jeno's and Totino's pizza) have also dragged their feet regarding product recalls. The federal government needs to take action to 1) prevent contaminated ground beef from entering the food supply system and 2) immediately recall ground beef when there is any evidence of contamination. This will require legislation giving the USDA the authority to establish mandatory sanitation and processing guidelines for slaughter houses and meat processors and the authority to recall potentially-contaminated meat. We have contacted federal legislators regarding this and will continue to work for the elimination of E. coli in our country's food supply.

PritzkerOlsen represents victims of E. coli outbreaks and the families of victims who have died. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form.

Labels: Cargill lawsuit