Michigan E. coli Recall Now One Ton with Nine Sick

On August 11, the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issued a public health alert regarding E. coli O157:NM gastrointestinal illnesses linked to the consumption of ground beef from McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC, a meat-processing and retail establishment in North Branch, Michigan

A total of five confirmed Shiga-toxin producing E. coli O157:NM cases and four probable cases have been reported in Lapeer, Genesee, Isabella, and Sanilac counties. Illness onset dates range from July 18-30. Those affected range in age from 15-88.

McNees Meats and Wholesale has now expanded it recall to include approximately 2,200 pounds of ground beef product that may be contaminated with E. Coli O157: NM, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. 

The products subject to recall include:

• 1 and 10-lb. clear packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk.”
• 1 to1.5-lb., approximate weight clear plastic bags of “McNees Ground beef patties.”
• 1-lb. packages of “McNees Ground Round.”
• 1 and 2-lb packages of “McNees Ground Beef Bulk” sold in red and white plastic bags.

Each clear plastic bag and retail package bears the establishment number “EST. 33971” within the USDA mark of inspection. The products subject to recall were produced on July 7, July 15, July 21, July 28 and Aug. 4, 2011, and sold to retail establishments and restaurants in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Mich. The products were also sold directly to consumers from a retail establishment owned by McNees Meats and Wholesale.