Five people in Wisconsin and one person in California have fallen ill with E.coli bacterial infections after eating ground beef from a Rochester, Minnesota, packing company.
The illnesses prompted a recall of 188,000 pounds of beef shipped to restaurants and "food service institutions" nationwide.
The U-S Department of Agriculture says the products were not sold in stores.
Rochester Meat Company, says the ground meat may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
The ground beef products subject to recall were produced on Oct. 30, 2007, and Nov. 6, 2007.
The products subject to recall were shipped to distributors nationwide for further distribution to restaurants and food service institutions.
The following products are subject to recall:
* 10-pound boxes of "SEASONED BEEF BULK" bearing a product number of "09068," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "730314."
* 10-pound boxes of "100% PURE BEEF PATTIES" bearing a product number of "09071," as well as an eight-digit a lot number beginning with "731013."
* 15-pound boxes of "CHEYENNE SEASONED BEEF PATTIES" bearing a product number of "12017" or "12018," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "730314."
* 10-, 15- and 20-pound boxes of "100% PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing a product number of "1340," "127533," "135724," "158843" or "158852," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "731013" or "731014."
* 10-pound boxes of "100% PURE GROUND CHUCK BEEF PATTIES" bearing a product number of "158898," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "731014."
* 10-, 15- and 25-pound boxes of "100% PURE GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" bearing a product number of "85227," "227806," "407823," "407830," "407840," "417841" or "437531," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "730314," "731013," or "731014."
* 10-pound boxes of "OUR HOMESTYLE 100% PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing a product number of "208033," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "731014."
* 15-pound boxes of "SEASONED BEEF PATTIES" bearing a product number of "357835," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "730314."
* 15- and 15.3-pound boxes of "USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER 100% PURE GROUND BEEF PATTIES" bearing a product number of "437507" or "437521," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "730314," "731013," or "731014."
* 15-pound boxes of "USDA CHOICE OR HIGHER GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" bearing a product number of "437822," as well as an eight-digit lot number beginning with "731014."
Each box bears the establishment number "Est. 8999" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact company Quality Assurance Manager Michelle Risius at (507) 529-4759.
