On November 17, 2009, Fairbury Steaks, Inc. a Fairbury, Nebraska firm, recalled approximately 90 pounds of fresh ground beef products due to possible E. coli contamination.

The products subject to recall include:

* 10-pound packages of "BULK FRESH GROUND BEEF."

The possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling, i.e., a sample of the ground beef tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.

The recalled Fairbury Steaks products were sold in 10-pound packages labeled "BULK FRESH GROUND BEEF" to a restaurant in Ruskin, Nebraska.

Neither Fairbury Steaks nor the USDA-FSIS has provided the name of the Ruskin, Nebraska restaurant to which the recalled ground beef was sent. According to the FSIS, it routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. We question the effectiveness of these "effectiveness checks."

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. We just hope the Ruskin, Nebraska restaurant either had not yet served the meat to customers or cooked the meat very well.

Labels: ground beef recall, hamburger recall,

If you or a family member has contracted E. coli O157:H7 after consuming ground beef, contact our law firm. If you have any recalled Sterling Pacific Meat Co. ground beef patties in your home, do not eat them. Do not throw them away if someone has contracted E. coli because the meat can be tested for E. coli.

Sterling Pacific Meat Co., a City of Commerce,California establishment, is recalling approximately 3,516 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The products subject to recall include:

Fatburger Brand:

• 20-pound packages of "8 oz. PUCK (80/20) GROUND BEEF PATTIES."
• 10-pound "2.5 oz. BABY GROUND BEEF PATTIES."

Stock Yards Brand:

• 12-pound packages of "6 oz ROUND 80 % LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES." Each package bears the identifying case code "13627."
• 12-pound packages of "(3/1) ROUND 80% LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "13582."
• 12-pound packages of "(3/1) ROUND 80% LEAN GROUND BEEF PATTIES." Each package bears the identifying case code "10457" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
• 12-pound packages of "GROUND BEEF PATTY (8/1) SLIDER 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13657" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
• 12-pound packages of "(4/1) ROUND 85% LEAN PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "13575" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
• 12-pound packages of "PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY 7oz WIDE PATTY 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13520" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
• 12-pound packages of "PURE GROUND BEEF PATTY (7/1) ROUND PATTY 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13577" and the pack date "05/18/2009."
• 11.80-pound packages of "PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES 7 oz ROUND 80% LEAN." Each package bears the identifying case code "13520" or "13561" and the pack date "05/18/2009."

The packages also bear the establishment number "EST. 550" within the SDA Mark of Inspection and advise "KEEP REFRIGERATED" and/or "KEEP FROZEN." The ground beef products were produced on May 18, 2009, and were distributed at the wholesale level to food service companies, who further distributed the product to restaurants in Calif. and Ariz. FSIS has no reason to believe that these products are available for sale in commerce.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a review of the establishment's records. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Labels: ground beef recall

An Illinois meat processing plant has recalled 241,000 pounds of ground beef because some of its institutional customers complained of finding metal packaging clips in the hamburger.

Labels: beef recall, ground beef recall, Holten Meat recall, metal clips in meat

On May 12, 2009 the USDA-FSIS announced a ground beef recall. Bob's Food City, a Hot Springs, Arkansas, retailer is recalling approximately 375 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The following ground beef products subject to recall were sold as tray packs of varying weights bearing a "Sell By" date of "05/09/09." The products subject to recall include:

• 1-pound through 5-pound tray packs of "GROUND BEEF CHUCK," "GROUND ROUND" or "REGULAR GROUND BEEF." Each pack bears a sell by date of "05/09/09." There is no USDA mark of inspection on the tray packs.
  

These ground beef products were produced on May 7, 2009, and were sold to customers of the Bob's Food City retail store located at 800 Malvern Avenue, in Hot Springs, Arkansas

The problem was discovered through FSIS sampling procedures. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these ground beef products. This does not mean that were no illnesses due to consumption of these products. If you were sickened after eating ground beef, please contact our law firm.

Labels: E coli lawyer, ground beef recall, lawsuit

A ground beef recall usually means one of the following:

• The USDA-FSIS has tested a sample of the ground beef and found E. coli contamination
• A processor or distributor of ground beef has tested a sample of ground beef and found E. coli contamination
• Health officials have received reports of illness that may be associated with the ground beef
  

Because ground beef is usually processed in huge quantities, ground beef recalls involve hundreds or thousands of pounds. Some recent recalls have involved millions of pounds.

E. coli contamination is preventable with good sanitation measures. Contaminated ground beef should never be distributed, but it is because there is not adequate testing and some companies disregard a positive test and distribute the ground beef anyway.

The bottom line is that serious injury and death from E. coli-contaminated ground is preventable, but certain companies are more interested in profits than people.

Suing the Bad Guys

Our attorneys are in the business of suing the bad guys who are responsible for serious injury and death resulting from the consumption of E. coli-contaminated ground beef. We also fight for changes in policy and law that will help prevent E. coli outbreaks.

We have recovered millions for E. coli victims and their families.

In each case, we establish a causal link between the illness and the ground beef with both epidemiological and microbiological evidence. This process may reveal a number of parties that can be sued for compensation. Even when a ground beef recall is involved, numerous parties in addition to the party initiating the recall may be liable.

Our attorneys take the time to thoroughly interview the victim and his or her family to determine how much compensation to seek. To do this, we fly all over the country. In a recent case, Attorney Fred Pritzker spent two days in an intensive care unit with an E. coli victim and her family. The E. coli victim had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and was close to death. Fred got to know the family well and better understood what our client meant to them and the community. This personal approach makes us better attorneys and provides families with a measure of peace because they feel like they can trust us.

Compensation for E. coli victims and their families may include the following:

• Medical expenses
• Cost of care
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
  

Pain and suffering in an E. coli case may include physical pain, emotional distress and disability. Contact our lawyers for a free consultation.

Labels: beef recall, ground beef recall, lawsuit

Alex & George Wholesale, Inc., a Rochester, New York firm, is recalling approximately 4,663 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The recalled ground beef products were produced on April 29 and distributed to restaurants in western New York.

If anyone is sickened by the recalled meat, they may have claims against Alex & George Wholesale, Inc., the restaurant where they ate the contaminated ground beef, and other parties for the following damages:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
  

E. coli bacteria have an incubation period as long as 10 days, but it is usually between 3 and 8 days. Because this potentially-contaminated meat was produced on April 29, people may not experience symptoms of E. coli for a few more days.

Contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen if you or a loved one is diagnosed with E. coli food poisoning.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 10-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand BULK GROUND BEEF"
• 10-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand 'HOT SAUCE' SPECIAL BLEND"
• 25-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand BULK GROUND BEEF"
• 30-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand BULK GROUND BEEF"
• 10-pound case of (3-1) "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
• 10-pound case of (5-1) "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
• 10-pound case of "A & G Brand 'Homestyle Press' GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
• 10-pound case of (6-1) "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
• Cases containing 48, 4.25-ounce"A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES 'PUCKS'"
• Cases containing 48, 5-ounce "A & G Brand 'Homestyle Press' GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
• Cases containing 48, 5-ounce (4-1) "A & G Brand 'Homestyle Press' GROUND BEEF PATTIES"
• Cases containing 48, 5-ounce "A & G Brand GROUND BEEF PATTIES 'PUCKS.'"
  

Most E. coli outbreaks involve undercooked hamburgers.

Labels: beef recall, ground beef recall,

YONKERS, N.Y. – Stew Leonard’s Yonkers store is voluntarily recalling 96% Lean Ground Round because of possible contamination with Escherichia coli 0157:H7 bacteria. No other Stew Leonard’s location is affected by this recall.

The package of ground beef in question was purchased on July 21, 2007, but out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all Stew Leonard’s 96% Lean Ground Round that was purchased between June 30, 2007 and August 1, 2007. Customers who purchased this specific product during this time period from the Stew Leonard’s Yonkers store location, and who have frozen it for later use, should return it to the store for a full refund. Learn More

Labels: Cattle E coli, ground beef food poisoning, ground beef recall