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More Beef Recalled Because Of E. Coli Concerns

Sam's Club stores reported problems with 'American Chef's Selection' beef patties

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

October 7, 2007

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Cargill, one of the largest U.S. food producers, is recalling 840,000 pounds of ground beef, on the heels of the nation’s second largest meat recall.

Last month’s recall of 22 million pounds of frozen hamburger patties resulted in Topps Meat Company closing its doors after 67 years.

Like the Topps burgers, the ground beef from Cargill is suspected of E. coli contamination. Sam’s Club Stores, a division of Wal-Mart, was the first to clear its aisles of the ground beef after a number of its customers reported getting sick.

Wal-Mart said it has removed the American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef patties from its Sam’s Club locations and will provide refunds to customers who have purchased the recalled hamburger patties.

Cargill, meanwhile, said the hamburgers were processed at its meat packing plant in Butler, Wisconsin. An investigation is underway to trace the source of the contamination.

The recall is voluntary, initiated by Cargill following Wal-Mart’s report of the E. coli illnesses.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service came under criticism last week when it revealed an 18 day delay in ordering a recall in the Topps Meat case. The agency said it could not act until it had conducted two sets for tests to conclusively confirm the 0157:H7 strain of E. coli bacteria.

All four cases connected to the Cargill hamburgers occurred in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health said it is investigating.

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