USDA Says 90,000 Lbs Beef Recalled on E. Coli Fear

A California company is recalling about 90,000 pounds of beef distributed to U.S. military bases in Asia and retail stores in Western states because of fears the meat could be contaminated with bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

A California company is recalling about 90,000 pounds of beef distributed to U.S. military bases in Asia and retail stores in Western states because of fears the meat could be contaminated with bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. Announcing the action late Tuesday, USDA said Richwood Meat Co. of Merced, California, was conducting the frozen ground beef and beef patty recall after a Japanese laboratory found E. coli bacteria on some of the meat. The testing was prompted by reports of several recent illnesses in Japan, USDA said. The beef products were produced on Aug. 11, 2003, and distributed to U.S. military installations in the Far East and to stores and institutions in California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, USDA said. The E. coli bacteria can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and people with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to the foodborne illness. (Source: Reuters Health, Feb 2004)