60,000 lbs. of National Beef Packing Co. ground beef recalled

DODGE CITY, Kan., Aug. 15 (UPI) -- About 60,000 pounds of ground beef from National Beef Packing Co. in Dodge City, Kan., is being recalled for possible E. coli contamination, officials say.

The U.S. Agriculture Department said in a release Friday the recall was initiated after the potential health hazard was detected at a state-inspected facility in Ohio. The USDA labeled it a Class I Recall with a high health risk.

The recall includes packages of ground beef produced July 23 with an Aug. 12 freeze date.

Some of the ground beef may have gone through further processing and repackaging, and sold under different brand names. The USDA didn't list the brands involved but Winn-Dixie Stores, Publix, Kroger and Walmart all announced independently they were recalling ground beef products as a result of the problem at National Beef.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in severe cases, kidney failure.