More than 825,000 pounds of ground beef distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah is being recalled since it possibly contains Salmonella Newport, a strain of the bacteria linked to a recent Colorado food poisoning outbreak.
Beef Packers, Inc.…based in Fresno, CA…issued the recall for meat processed between June 5th and June 23rd. It was sold in 40, 60 and 80 pound increments bearing an establishment number of “EST. 31913” on cases’ labels…however, individual Colorado beef retailers likely repackaged beef into smaller sizes to sell to consumers.
Products have use/freeze by dates ranging from June 23rd to July 11th.
The Salmonella Newport bacteria strain is highly resistant to many medications and is responsible for 21 Colorado food poisoning illnesses since late June. Epidemiologic data from the state’s Department of Public Health and Environment indicates that 15 of 16 Colorado salmonella illnesses (out of a total of 21 confirmed cases) purchased the beef at Safeway Stores.
Symptoms from salmonella poisoning generally appear within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food and include:
• Severe abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
Most recover in a few days or weeks but in extreme cases, the bacteria spreads from the intestinates through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
Young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are most at risk if they consume contaminated beef. Without proper treatment, salmonella poisoning can be fatal.
Check with your grocer to verify but if you have any of the contaminated beef in your freezer, get rid of it now.
And if you have fallen ill in connection with salmonella outbreaks in Colorado, contact your Colorado personal injury attorneys at the Babcock Law Firm to discuss any legal options that may be available to you.