E. coli worries spur ground beef recall

VERNON, Calif., June 7 (UPI) -- United Food Group issued a voluntary recall for ground beef in 11 states because the California company is concerned about possible E. coli contamination.

Product was shipped from Vernon, Calif., to retail distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

CBS News reported Steve Cohen, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, said 11 people became ill. The last known case was in early May.

The distributed ground beef was stamped with a shelf life of May 6 and 7 but some consumers may have packages in freezers.

United Food Group said in a statement the labels on the recalled items say "EST. 1241" inside the Department of Agriculture inspection mark, and this also may be printed on the package. CBS said all of the recalled packages have a sell-by date of "Apr/29/07" or "Apr/30/07", a freeze-by date of "Apr/28/07" or "Apr/30/07", or a produced-on date of "April 13-07."

United Food Group's announcement expanded a Monday advisory recalling meat with the April 13 production date.

Stores in all the states where the beef was sold confirm none of the product is currently on shelves.