According to the New Jersey Department of Law and Safety, a total of 138 boxes of frozen hamburger and beef products recalled by the Topps Meat Company because of potential E.coli contamination have been found on the shelves in seven stores in Hudson County.

Investigators from the Division of Consumers Affairs and inspectors from the Hudson County and municipal health departments jointly visited 197 retail stores since last Wednesday. Hudson County has been the focus since recalled products were found on the shelves of a Union City store.

"We remain concerned and vigilant because these items continue to be available for purchase and consumption despite the voluntary recall notice issued in September," Attorney General Milgram said. "This continues to be a public health issue. Both retailers and consumers should check their freezers for these recalled products."

The seven stores where the Topps-branded products were found are as follows:

Bargain World (aka Stop 1 Food Mart)
715 New York Avenue, Union City

Lucky Food Center (aka Boca Chica Mini Market)
6501 Park Avenue, West New York

Wayne Gusto Meat Market
190 Ocean Avenue, Jersey City

Super Good Luck Grocery
91 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City

8 New Brothers Super World
61 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City

La Mia Grocery
503A Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City

BergenLine Supermarket
8107 Bergenline Avenue, North Bergen

"With the assistance of Hudson County and municipal health officials, our investigators are continuing to check stores," Acting Director DeMarzo said. "We’re also working to identify other areas where these recalled products were distributed."

Greater New York Frozen Food Company has provided the names and locations of retailers who purchased products on the recall list from them after the company was served with a subpoena last week.

The recalled products were produced by Topps with a "sell by date" or "best if used by date" that falls between September 25, 2007 and September 25, 2008. This information may be found on the back panel of the package. All recalled products will have a USDA establishment number of EST 9748, which is located on the back panel of the package and/or in the USDA legend.

Pritzker | Ruohonen has provided a complete list of recalled Topps hamburgers. Please check your freezer for any recalled hamburgers. If you have recalled hamburgers, DO NOT EAT THEM. If someone has eaten recalled hamburgers, do not throw away those remaining in the box. Label them “Do not eat” and wait for 10 days from the time any hamburgers were consumed. If no one gets sick, they can be thrown away or returned. If someone gets sick, get medical attention immediately. If someone is diagnosed with E. coli, contact Pritzker | Ruohonen. Both the stools of the sickened person and the frozen hamburgers will need to be tested.

Labels: E. coli, hamburgers, New Jersey, topps