Beef recall affecting more states

Also, ground beef packaged under the Fairbank Farms name was distributed to stores in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. That meat was likely repackaged for sale and would likely have differing package and sell-by dates.

Supermarket officials say even though the meat is no longer being sold in stores, there are likely to be thousands of pounds in freezers across the country.

Acme says the meat recall includes all fresh ground beef items sold at its stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware between 9/16/09 and 10/6/09. Recalled products include all brands of ground beef including Wild Harvest, Lancaster Brand and store-made ground beef products including meatballs, meatloaf, Salisbury steak and stuffed peppers.

Located in the southwestern corner of New York a few miles from the Pennsylvania line, Fairbank Farms has had two other voluntary recalls over the last two years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

In September 2007, the company recalled 884 pounds of ground beef products because they may have been contaminated with E. coli, the agency said. And in May 2008, it recalled 22,481 pounds of ground beef products that may have contained pieces of plastic.

Symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps that may be severe and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days. E. coli can sometimes lead to complications including kidney failure.

Symptoms usually show up three to four days after a person eats contaminated food, although in some cases it can be as long as eight days. Officials said anyone having symptoms should immediately contact a doctor.

The recalled products include:

ACME

Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 through 09/28/09)

Wild Harvest Natural Angus Ground Beef 85/15

Lancaster Brand Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04

Lancaster Brand Ground Beef 90/10

BJ's Wholesale Club/Burris

Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 through 09/28/09)

Fresh Ground Beef Patties 85/15

Lean Ground Beef 93/07,

Meatloaf and Meatball Mix

Giant Food Stores

Packaged products (Sell-by dates ranging from 09/19/09 to 09/28/09)

Giant Meatloaf & Meatball Mix

Giant Nature's Promise Ground Beef

Giant Nature's Promise Ground Beef Patties

Giant Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04

Trader Joe's

Brick packs (Sell-by dates 10/06/09 or 10/07/09)

Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 85/15

Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 80/20

Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Beef Patty 85/15

Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 96/4 Extra Lean