Valley Meats E. coli Outbreak - Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania
On May 21, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Valley Meats LLC was recalling approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef products for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The ground beef was produced on March 10, 2009, and was distributed nationwide in several forms, particularly frozen hamburger patties and un-formed ground beef.
Several states have reported illness associated with the consumption of the ground beef products. The Ohio Department of Health informed FSIS of an E. coli outbreak among Ohio residents on May 13, 2009. An Ohio child’s death may be linked to the outbreak, and the public health investigation into her E. coli illness and death is ongoing. E. coli cases associated with this outbreak have also been reported in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
According to the FSIS recall notification, frozen ground beef products, including pre-formed hamburger patties from several brands have been recalled. Those brands recalling potentially E. coli-contaminated product include 3S Brand, Grillmaster, J&B, Klub, Thick ‘N Savory, and Ultimate. In addition, ground beef products produced by Valley Meats were sold with non-specific name brands. According to FSIS, those products being recalled for potential E. coli contamination are:
- 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case bears the case code “50123.”
- 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case bears the case code “50125.”
- 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK.” Each case bears the case code “50127.”
- 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) “KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE.” Each case bears the case code “3253.”
- 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) “KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE.” Each case bears the case code “3254.”
- 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) “KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE.” Each case bears the case code “3255.”
- 24.75-pound cases containing a total of 144 “KEEP RERIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTY.” Each case can be identified by the case code “8218.”
- 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8020EC.”
- 40-pound cases containing a total of 8 (8 X 5) “KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8020VP.”
- 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8515.”
- 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “8020ECF.”
- 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF.” Each package bears the identifying case code “10201.”
- 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) “KEEP FROZEN GROUND MEAT.” Each package bears the identifying case code “10301.”
The Valley Meats establishment number, “EST. 5712,” is printed inside the USDA mark of inspection on all recalled products. For a full list of recalled products, view the FSIS recall notice.
Marler Clark’s E. coli lawyers have represented hundreds of victims of E. coli outbreaks traced to ground beef products. Frozen hamburgers have been the source of several recent E. coli outbreaks, and the firm has over 15 years of experience litigating E. coli cases across the nation.