Ground Beef Sold In CA Recalled Over E. Coli Risk

CALIFORNIA — Ground beef sold in California has been recalled because of E.coli, according to an alert issued Monday by the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The ground beef sold in California supermarkets was sold in one pound packages under the label Thomas Farms Grass Fed Ground Beef. Some of the beef in question was also shipped to food service providers in California.

Lakeside Refrigerated Services, based in New Jersey, said approximately 120,872 pounds of ground beef are affected.

The recalled items were produced between Feb. 1 and April 8, according to the alert. The contamination was discovered during routine testing of products. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness, the alert said.

The products subject to the recall bear establishment number "EST. 46841" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to retail locations throughout the nation.

• The complete list of products and product codes subject to recall can be found here.
• Labels for the ground beef products can be found here.

Affected products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

The beef that was sent to food service providers in California did not have a label, but did have the case code 139000028 printed on packaging.

Symptoms of E. coli infection include diarrhea and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Most people recover within a week, but on rare occasions, some develop a more severe infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Lakeside Refrigerated Services at 800-493-9042 or customercare@lakesiderefrigerated.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854, live chat via Ask USDA or email MPHotline@usda.gov.