Free Roaming Red Angus (© Photographer: Caroline Klapper | Agency: Dreamstime.com)

The Valley Meat Company of Modesto, California is recalling approximately 1 million pounds of frozen ground-beef patties and bulk ground-beef products that may be contaminated with a rare strain of toxic E. coli . The recall was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on August 6th.

Concern exists that some contaminated meat may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. FSIS strongly encourages consumers to check their freezers and immediately discard any product that is the subject of this recall.

Products subject to recall bear the establishment number "EST. 8268" inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as a production code of 25709 through 01210. These products were produced between October 2, 2009 through January 12, 2010. The ground beef was distributed to retail outlets and institutional foodservice providers in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona and internationally. Thus far, seven people are believed to have become ill from the contaminated beef.

9,000 Deaths from Fodborne Illnesses Anually

In the United States, foodborne diseases have been estimated to cause 6 million to an astonishing 81 million illnesses and up to 9,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Escherichia coli (E. coli) are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Some kinds of E. coli are harmless, while others can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses. The major source for human illnesses is cattle.

To learn more about E. coli food and related health issues, go to: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Organic Red Angus New York Strip Steaks
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