Higa Meat & Pork Market, a Hawaiian firm, has recalled 4,100 pounds of ground beef products in the US over E. coli contamination, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The products subjected to recall include 10-lb bags of Higa Market-Ground Beef Bulk. Each case bears the establishment number "EST. 12457M" and a case code number 291.
The products were manufactured on 17 October 2012 and were distributed to the restaurants in Oahu, Hawaii region. The problem was identified by FSIS and occurred as a result of the products testing positive for E. coli O157:H7 and being shipped prior to the company receiving test results. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
FSIS has warned the customers to consume the fresh and frozen ground beef which has been cooked at a temperature of 160° F to avoid the harmful bacteria. This recall has been classified as Class I, which indicates a high health risk.
Consumption of food contaminated with E. coli bacteria can lead to diarrhea, dehydration and, in the most severe cases, kidney failure, and it can cause serious illness in very young, elderly, and those with weak immune systems.
