Recall of ground beef products announced

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Kansas-based Tyson Foods is recalling about 131,000 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, U.S. government officials said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it was informed of cases of E. coli illnesses in Ohio's Butler County, and tests of leftover ground beef from the patients' home proved positive for E. coli, a USDA release said Wednesday.

The recall covers ground beef chubs sold under the Kroger brand, Butcher's Brand, and under a generic label, all carrying a "BEST BEFORE OR FREEZE BY" date of "SEP 12 2011" and the establishment number "245D" printed on the package seams.

The FSIS strongly encourages consumers to check their freezers and immediately discard any product subject to this recall.

E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure.

The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to risk, the USDA said.