MERCED, Calif., April 21 (UPI) -- A California meat distributor has recalled year-old hamburger meat it produced after learning three children became ill with an E. coli strain.
The Los Angeles Times said Saturday that while the hamburger meat was produced last April 28 by the Richwood Meat Co. in Merced, state health officials are concerned the meat may still be in stores or consumers' freezers.
The tainted meat was initially discovered after at least three area children became temporarily ill after eating hamburgers from a Napa County concessionaire stand.
A search of the stand in St. Helena, Calif., found that a virulent E. coli was present in its hamburger patties.
An identical strain also was found in the area store where the stand's owner had purchased the meat.
The meat products are labeled as either "4-28-06" or "118-6" in regard to their production date.
The Times said the meat was marketed under the brand names Fireriver, California Pacific Associates, Golbon, Richwood, Chef's Pride, Blackwood Farms, C&C Distributing and Ritz Food Service.
