As many as 23 people in eight states may have contracted E. coli food poisoning as a result of eating contaminated hamburgers produced by Topps Meat Co. Topps, which describes itself as the “leading U.S. manufacturer of frozen hamburgers,” is located in Elizabeth, NJ.
USDA spokesperson Amanda Eamich shed some light on federal food investigator efforts stating, “We are investigating the facility in response to the illnesses associated with the consumption of the products.” She also added, “that also includes looking back to their suppliers.”
Illnesses have been reported in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The following retail hamburger products have been recalled:
- 2-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 8 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUL 12 08.” UPC #74701-00065
- 2-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 3 OZ., 10 COUNT.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUL 12 08.” UPC #74701-00125
- 3-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 6 OZ. PUB Burgers.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08.” UPC #74701-00045
- 3-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 16 Hamburgers.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00005.
- 5-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 20 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or “JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00055.
- 8-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 32 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00185.
- 3-pound boxes of “Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 12 Quarter Pounders.” Each box bears a sell-by date of “JUN 22 08,” “JUL 12 08” or “JUL 23 08.” UPC #74701-00025.
Products available to the food service industry were also recalled.
For more information about E. coli food poisoning, please see E. coli Food Poisoning and E. coli Symptoms. You can also visit our website www.foodpoisoning.com, where information is available about E. coli, Foodborne Illness Outbreaks and E. coli Symptoms and Complications.
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg currently represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been harmed by E. coli food poisoning, and you have a question about your legal rights, please call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274 for a free case evaluation, or click on free case evaluation to submit your questions.
For information about other, current E. coli outbreaks please see School Food Poisoning and E. coli Outbreak Illinois, E. coli Outbreak Kentucky, and E. coli Outbreak Wisconsin.
