The Kane County Health Department is advising residents that Ranchers Legacy Meat Co., of Vadnais Heights, MN, is recalling 1,200 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Although there have been no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products, the products were shipped to distributors for sales nationwide and may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Products subject to the recall are packaged in plastic cryovac sealed packets, and contain various weights of ground beef. All products produced on Nov. 19, 2014 are subject to recall. All recalled products have a “use by” date of 12/10/2014 and bear the establishment number “Est. 40264” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 ° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

All of the following have a Package Code (use by) 12/10/2014 and bear the establishment number “Est. 40264” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Individual products include:

• Ranchers Legacy Ground Beef Patties 77/23
• Ranchers Legacy Ground Chuck Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice Ground Beef 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice WD Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy RD Beef Patties 80/20
• OTG Manufacturing Chuck/Brisket RD Patties
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend Oval Beef Patties
• Ranchers Legacy WD Chuck Blend Patties
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy Ground Chuck Blend
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend Bulk Pack NAT Patties
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend NAT Beef Patties

Consumers and media with questions regarding the recall should call Jeremy Turnquist, Vice President of Operations for Ranchers Legacy Meat Co. at (651) 366-6575. 

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department press release