New York State health officials are warning people not to eat certain Topps frozen ground beef patties due to the possibility of E. coli contamination. Officials believe that this is the same strain responsible for cases of E. coli infection in several other states including New York, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Topps, located in Elizabeth, N.J., is recalling 331,582 pounds of frozen ground beef products which may be contaminated with E. coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The beef patties were produced on June 22, July 12, or July 23 and were distributed in New York and to stores nationwide.
According to New York State Health Department spokesperson, Claudia Hutton, six New York cases of E. coli food poisoning have been identified in Albany, Monroe, Herkimer, and Washington counties. Three people have been hospitalized.
Topps burger patties became suspect after the testing of hamburgers taken from the home freezer of one of the victim’s revealed the contamination. “It's the same strain that matches a multistate outbreak,” Hutton said.
The New York-based grocery chain, Price Chopper Supermarkets, has removed all Topps brand meat products from its shelves after learning about the contamination.
Symptoms of E.coli infection include severe abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. There is usually little or no fever. Symptoms usually resolve in 5-10 days. The young, elderly, and immuno-compromised are at greatest risk for complications due to E. coli food poisoning.
For more information, please see E. coli Food Poisoning and Symptoms and Complications of E. coli food poisoning, or visit our website www.foodpoisoning.com.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, please fill out a free case evaluation or contact the Law Offices of Eric H. Weinberg toll-free at 1-877-934-6274. Mr. Weinberg represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the country and sponsors this and other websites to provide consumers with breaking news.
