Food safety alert: WinCo Foods, CDPH recalls fresh ground beef for E. coli

2010-04-20 20:27:48 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Justice News Flash, Product liability)

Wiki Image: WinCo Foods recalls all fish ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination.

Legal news for product liability attorneys. WinCo Foods recalls all fresh ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination.

Product liability attorneys alert- The California Department of Public Health and WinCo Foods recalled ground beef due to a possible E. coli contamination.

Modesto, CA– WinCo Foods and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) officials have announced a recall of ground beef purchased from all WinCo supermarket stores over 13 days in late March and early April. Officials say the ground beef could be contaminated with the E. coli bacterium, as reported by CNN.

The recall, which was announced on Saturday, April 17, 2010, was issued after two samples of ground beef at WinCo’s Modesto, California store tested positive for E. coli 0157:H7. The particular strain of bacteria causes severe food poisoning. At this time no illnesses in connection with the product has been reported.

The recall involves all fresh ground beef from WinCo Foods stores that were packed in plastic foam trays with a sale date between March 28th and April 9th. Consumers are advised to return the beef for a refund or discard the meat. On April 10, WinCo announced a beef recall for only its Modesto store, but “new information has come to light that potentially implicated WinCo’s ground beef suppliers,” causing the supermarket to expand its recall.

The discount supermarket store chain has 71 locations throughout California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also investigating the recall.

The E. coli bacterium can cause abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrheal illnesses, often with bloody stools. A California Department of Public Health spokesperson stated, “People with severe infections may be hospitalized, suffer kidney damage and possibly die from the bacteria. Those most at risk for serious complications include young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.”

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for product liability lawyers.