Palama Holdings recalls contaminated beef products

Palama Holdings, food service distributor, is recalling about 68,670 lbs of ground beef products on suspicion of E. coli (O157:H7) contamination.

Photo: Palama Holdings recalls contaminated beef products

E. coli is a bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded animals. Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some, such as serotype O157:H7, can cause serious food poisoning in humans.

Based on a 1999 estimate, there are 73,000 cases of infection and about 60 deaths caused by E.coli O157:H7 each year in the United States. Infection often leads to bloody diarrhea, and occasionally to kidney failure, especially in young children and elderly people.

According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, the beef products were manufactured between April 9, 2008, and April 21, 2008. The beef was distributed to retail, food service establishments and commissaries in Hawaii.

Palama Holdings ordered to recall the following products:

- 6- and 10-pound boxes containing 1/4-pound and 1/3-pound "May's Teriyaki Beef Patties." The boxes include a product code of "157400," "157600," or "157700," as well as a production date of "4/9/2008," "4/10/2008," "4/11/2008," "4/15/2008," "4/16/2008," "4/17/2008," "4/18/2008," or "4/21/2008." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 24-pound bulk boxes of "May's Beef Picnic Patties." The boxes will include product code "158700" as well as a production date of "4/11/2008 " or "4/18/2008." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 10-pound boxes of "May's Beef Pattie, 3:1 Layer Pack." These boxes include the product code "158325" as well as a production date of "4/10/2008," or "4/17/2008." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 3-pound trays of "May's GROUND BEEF Family Pack." The packages include the product code "410751," as well as the production date "4/16/2008." The packages also bear the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 5- and 10-pound chubs of May's brand coarse ground and fine ground beef products. These products bear a product code of "141115," "141120," "143915", "141420," "144150," "144155,"

"144200," "144205," "144209," "145410," "145420," "151115," "151415," "151430", or "153220." The products will also bear a production date of "4/9/2008," "4/15/2008," "4/16/2008," "4/17/2008," "4/18/2008," or "4/21/2008."

Photo: www.wikipedia.org