Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 8/12/11

McNees Meats and Wholesale is expanding its recall to include approximately 2,200 pounds of ground beef product that may be contaminated with E. coli O157: NM (non-motile), USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced late Thursday.

Subject to recall are:
•    1 and 10-lb. clear packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk.”
•    1 to1.5-lb., approximate weight clear plastic bags of “McNees Ground beef patties.”
•    1-lb. packages of “McNees Ground Round.”
•    1 and 2-lb packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk” sold in red and white plastic bags.

Each clear plastic bag and retail package bears the establishment number “EST. 33971” within the USDA mark of inspection.  The products subject to recall were produced on July 7, July 15, July 21, July 28 and Aug. 4, 2011, and sold to retailers and restaurants in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Mich.  The products were also sold directly to consumers from a retail establishment owned by McNees.

Illnesses
Michigan health authorities have reported a total of five confirmed Shiga-toxin producing E. coli cases and four probable cases in four counties after consuming beef involved in the recall.

Cases said they ate ground beef either at local restaurants supplied by McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC or purchased directly from the company. The afflicted range in age from 15 to 88, and their onsets occurred between July 18 and July 30.

"It is concerning that two-thirds of the confirmed and probable cases in this outbreak had to be hospitalized," said Dr. Dean Sienko, interim medical director for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.