A monumental expansion by Topps Meat Company recall from 331,582 pounds to over 21.7 million pounds of frozen ground beef products that have been linked to E. coli O157:H7 contamination. This expansion now includes all products produced by Topps with a "sell by date" or "best if used by date" that falls between September 25, 2007 and September 25, 2008. All recalled products have the USDA establishment number of EST 9748 located on the back panel of the package and/or in the USDA legend.
On September 29, 2007, Topps Meat Company, LLC, announced that it was expanding its September 25, 2007 recall to include an additional 25.4 million pounds of frozen ground beef products distributed to retail grocery stores and food service institutions throughout the United States. This expansion comes one day after the USDA suspended the grinding of raw products at the Topps plant in Elizabeth, New Jersey after inspectors found inadequate safety measures.
According to the CDC, twenty-five people in eight states may have fallen ill after eating hamburgers possibly contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Three cases - two in New York and one in Florida - are confirmed as being linked to the ground beef, with the other 22 cases possibly linked and under investigation. Illnesses were reported in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The New Jersey Health Department has stated that there are four suspected cases under investigation.
The expanded recall now includes frozen ground beef products sold under the brand names Butcher's Best 100% all beef patties; Kohler Foods flat hamburger; Mike's seasoned beef patties; Pathmark 100% all beef burger; Rastelli's Fine Foods 100% premium beef hamburger; Roma - Topps 100% premium hamburger; Sam's Choice Backyard Gourmet Beef Burgers; Sand Castle Fine Meat 100% premium beef hamburger; Sand Castle Fine Meat Angus Chuck burger; Shop Rite 100% pure ground beef hamburgers; Shop Rite 100% pure quarter pound ground beef hamburgers; TOPPS 100% premium hamburger; TOPPS 100% pure ground beef hamburgers; TOPPS sirloin steak burgers; and West Side 100% premium hamburger.
An investigation into a cluster of illnesses in the Northeast region carried out by the New York State Department of Health in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention led to a positive product sample collected by the New York Department of Health.
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.
If you or anyone you know feel that you have contracted E. coli as a result of consuming the recalled meat products and wish to discuss this matter or your rights or interests with respect to this matter, please contact our law firm for a Free Claim Evaluation.
