Legal news for New York Product Liability lawyers—New York meat processor company recalled half a million ground beef products, Center for Disease Control investigates.
Chautauqua, NY (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – A Chautauqua County meat processor, Fairbanks Farms of Ashville, New York, voluntarily recalled half a million pounds of beef, most of which has been served on dinner tables already, due to a recent outbreak of E. coli that has caused two reported deaths, announced the Buffalo News.
At least 26 people have fallen ill due to the consumption of the infected beef across the Northeast region of U.S. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) www.usda.gov are working with the company to investigate the connection between the tainted beef and the death of a New Yorker and a victim in New Hampshire.
The suspected infected beef product was packaged Sept 15th and 16th, and were sent out to stores like BJ’s, ACME, Ford Brothers, Giant Food Stores, Price Chopper, Shaw’s and Trader Joe’s. The packages were dated to be sold by Sept. 19 and Sept. 28. Ron Allen, CEO of Fairbanks Farms, said in a company statement that we “continue to urge customers to check their freezers for ground beef products that are listed in the recall.”
The Majority of the beef packages that are involved in the recall will have a printed number of “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection or the nutritional information label.
The beef was sent out as hamburger patties, meatloaf, and meatballs to grocery stores in New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Consumers who brought the meat are advised to return any meat still packaged to the retailer for a full refund.
According to other news source reports, Fairbank Farms products have been recalled before. In September 2007, 884 pounds of beef was recalled due to a potential threat of E. coli contamination. In May 2008, 22,481 pounds were recalled due to shreds of plastic found in the ground beef.
For more information from Fairbank Farms call (877) 546-0122 or go on the web at www.fairbankfarms.com., or contact the USDA at (888) 674-6854 or online at www.fsis.usda.gov.
“This is a stark reminder that food is still going straight to our kitchens and grocery stores without being properly tested to ensure its safety,” replied New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a statement issued by her Washington office.
Bridget Hom
www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com