E. coli outbreaks and the discovery of E. coli contamination in ground beef and other meat products have resulted in a number of recalls in recent months (see E. coli Attorney: Recent outbreaks traced to meat products ’cause for concern’). In particular, United Food Group has recalled hundreds of thousands of pounds of ground beef products for E. coli contamination. At least 14 people have been confirmed ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating UFG ground beef.
And while much of the nation, from California to Washington to Minnesota and Michigan, is focused on E. coli in ground beef, North Carolina health officials are trying to determine the source of an E. coli outbreak at a restaurant.
After last year’s E. coli outbreak traced to spinach and Salmonella outbreak traced to peanut butter, we are reminded that E. coli contamination in ground beef is still a threat to public health.