Scanga Meat Company of Salida, CO, is recalling 563 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw ground beef products were produced on Dec. 11. 

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ and restaurants’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” according to the recall notice.

The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

• 6-lb. plastic tubes containing “It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat OUR REGULAR GROUND BEEF” and may have lot code 3345 represented on the label.
• 6-lb. plastic tubes containing “It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat OUR X-L GROUND BEEF” and may have lot code 3345 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic chubs containing “SCANGA MEAT HAMBURGER” and may have lot code 3345 represented on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic trays containing “It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat GROUND ROUND” and may have lot code 3345 represented on the label. 

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 6460” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were sold at the establishment’s retail location and shipped to restaurant locations in Colorado.

The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing and the sampling results showed the presence of E. coli O103. There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

about E. coli infections

Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated products and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

about 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.