E.COLI FOUND IN BEEF PATTIES FROM CANADA

Yes, the temporary lull in U.S. food recalls seems to be over. Now we have another recall of beef due to deadly bacteria being found in the products.

Sysco Seattle Inc., a Seattle, Wash. firm, is recalling approximately 16,800 pounds of ground beef patties imported from Canada because they may have been contaminated with E.coli O157:H7. The products were produced by New Food Classics of Burlington, Ontario and were imported by Sysco Seattle Inc., for distribution to restaurants in Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Washington.

This is a rare instance of a company taking quick action. Sysco was already recalling the products (on March 20) even before the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the alert. It appears that the Canadian firm involved acted responsibly and immediately notified Sysco when the problem was discovered. Nice change. Delays can cost lives.

By the way, in case you have forgotten, since E.coli O157 has been out of the news for a while, this is a potentially deadly bacterium, especially to the very young, and seniors or other people with weak immune systems. It can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure.

Be careful how you handle and cook raw meat, and especially ground meat products (see the next post).

To your good health,

TSF