Chicago firm recalls beef products due to E. coli contamination fear

JSM Meat Holdings Company, Inc., a Chicago firm, is voluntarily recalling an undetermined amount of beef products intended for use in ground products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this weekend. The beef products bear the establishment number “EST. 6872” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These beef products were distributed to establishments for further processing in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The problem was discovered by FSIS. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product. Anyone with signs or symptoms of food-borne illness should consult a medical professional. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors, and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to food-borne illness.

For more information about the recall, contact company president Steve Hurckes, Sr. at (312) 421-3664, ext. 214. Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.