A total of 1,200 pounds of ground beef is being recalled because of possible E. coli contamination by Ranchers Legacy Meat Co., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service department said that during a routine inspection its inspectors identified meat suspected to be contaminated with E.coli.
The beef being recalled are packed in plastic sealed packets, varying in weight. The beef has already been shipped to for distribution and sale across the US.
The E. coli in this case, O157:H7, is potentially deadly and can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and severe dehydration – symptoms begin to show from two to eight days after exposure.
The products have a “use by” date of Dec. 10, 2014, and carry the establishment number of “Est. 40264” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Individual products include:
Ranchers Legacy Ground Beef Patties 77/23
Ranchers Legacy Ground Chuck Patties 80/20
Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice Ground Beef 80/20
Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice WD Beef Patties 80/20
Ranchers Legacy RD Beef Patties 80/20
OTG Manufacturing Chuck/Brisket RD Patties
Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend Oval Beef Patties
Ranchers Legacy WD Chuck Blend Patties
Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice NAT Beef Patties 80/20
Ranchers Legacy NAT Beef Patties 80/20
Food safety officials have expressed concern that some of the products may be inside some consumer’s freezers already. However, no illnesses have been reported linked to the possibly contaminated meat.