November 10, 2019
New Seasons Market is recalling fresh ground beef sold at meat counters in three of its stores because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Three
people in the Portland metro area have become ill with E. coli O157:H7
infection after having eaten ground beef purchased at different New Seasons
outlets. All are recovering from the illness.
E.
coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal
illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover
completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure
called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The condition is most likely to occur
in young children and the elderly, and it can lead to serious kidney damage and
even death.
The
recalled fresh ground beef was sold at the company’s North Lombard, North
Interstate and Cedar Hills locations. The product comes in 5%, 10% and 20% fat
content varieties and is ground at the stores prior to sale. The products
implicated were purchased between Oct. 19 and Oct. 23. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recommends customers
who purchased the ground beef between these dates throw it away immediately.
OHA
identified the outbreak after laboratory tests conducted at the Oregon State
Public Health Laboratory determined that an identical strain of E. coli O157:H7 was present
in all three patients.
New
Seasons Market has reported to OHA that it suspended the sale of the product
while Oregon Department of Agriculture continues its investigation into the
cause of the outbreak.
People
who ate the product but did not get sick do not need to do anything. If you developed
diarrhea after eating it, you should consult your health care provider and tell
him or her about the exposure.
Consumers
with questions may contact the company at talktous@newseasonsmarket.com.