Sam's Club American Chef's Selection Angus Beef patties

[bugspost]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Sam's Club is pulling frozen hamburgers made by agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. from its stores shelves across the United States as Minnesota health officials investigate four cases of E. coli associated with the burgers.

In a statement dated Friday, Sam's Club owner Wal-Mart Stores Inc said the warehouse club is removing the American Chef's Selection Angus Beef patties from U.S. locations and giving refunds to customers who already purchased the burgers.

All four cases of E. coli being investigated occurred in children, the Minnesota Department of Health said in a statement. The cases are associated with eating ground beef patties purchased from Sam's Club stores in late August and September.

Sam's Club customers should return or destroy any American Chef's Selection Angus Beef purchased from Sam's Club since August 26, the department of health said.

Cargill said the hamburgers were manufactured at its plant in Butler, Wisconsin.

Symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 illness -- the strain associated with the recall -- include potentially severe stomach cramps and diarrhea.

The recall comes in the wake of another beef-related health scare. Last month Topps Meat Co LLC recalled 21.7 million pounds of beef linked to 30 cases of E. coli-related illness. On Friday, Topps said the recall forced it out of business.

Topps meat company that had the big recall also had burgers sold at Sam's Club listed on their recall list. Topps has since gone out of business.

[notyard]

To add to bugspost's thread, following please find the official FDA press release, which includes the Sam's Club products manufactured by Cargill as bugspost notified us, and also several products shipped to industrial and foodservice customers:

Wisconsin Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-042-2007 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2007 - Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation is voluntarily recalling approximately 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties produced at its Butler, Wis., location because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The frozen ground beef patties were produced on various dates from Aug. 9 through Aug. 17, 2007, and were distributed to retail establishments, restaurants and institutions nationwide. Each label bears the establishment number "Est. 924A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Products distributed to retail establishments and subject to recall: [View Labels]
6-pound boxes of "American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties 18-1/3 Pound Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7703100" and various package codes of Best If Used By dates of "02/05/08," "02/06/08," "02/12/08," and "02/13/08."

Products distributed to restaurants and institutions and subject to recall include:
20-pound boxes of "Grille Works Seasoned Sirloin Steak Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700296" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703003" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703008" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


10-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703092" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703132" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703133" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


10-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Beef Patties with Seasoning." Each package bears a case code of "7703139" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


20-pound boxes of "TNT Thick 'n' Tender Black Angus Ground Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700922" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


32.4-pound boxes of "100% Black Angus Ground Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700932" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."


36.0-pound boxes of "100% Black Angus Ground Beef Patties." Each package bears a case code of "7700983" and a package code "packed/chilled by 08/15/07."

The problem was discovered through an investigation into three illnesses by the Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture. While the investigation is ongoing, Cargill is voluntarily recalling the products based on a preliminary analysis of epidemiological data. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall should call Cargill toll-free at (866) 567-7899. Media with questions about the recall should contact Mark Klein, vice president of public relations, at (952) 742-6211.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.