After five children in Napa County (USA) became infected with E. coli after eating hamburgers at Little League baseball snack shacks, authorities have recalled approximately 100,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties in five states. The patties were produced in April-May 2006, by Merced-based Richwood Meat Co. Inc, and are to be found in California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
The children became ill on April 3-4. Authorities say all of them have recovered. There are two other suspected cases.
Products Recalled – Hamburger patties and ground beef sold under the brands:
— Fireriver
— Chef’s Pride
— Ritz Food, Blackwood Farms
— California Pacific Associates
— C&C Distributing
— Golbon
— Richwood
Authorities say consumers should check in their freezers. If these products are found you should either destroy them or take them back to the place where you bought them.
What is E.coli?
It is one of the bacteria that line the gut of humans and animals. It also exists in raw and undercooked beef, infected water and milk. Most E. coli strains are harmless. However, O157:H7 can cause food poisoning.
A sample of a person’s faeces (stool) must be tested to confirm E.coli poisoning.
Cattle are believed to the main source of infection.
It can spread as a result of:
— Eating contaminated food, such as undercooked beef burgers, raw vegetables which have been washed or watered with contaminated water
— Drinking untreated milk or dairy products
— Contact with infected animals
Symptoms of E. coli Poisoning
— Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody)
— Abdominal pain
— Fever (sometimes)
Symptoms usually appear about 1-3 days after infection.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today