Tyson recalls ground beef over E coli fears

US-based Tyson Fresh Meats is recalling around 131,300lb of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E coli O157:H7, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The recall was initiated after a family in Ohio fell ill after eating ground beef produced by the company.

The products subject to the recall include 5lb chubs of Kroger brand, 3lb chubs of Butcher’s brand, and 3lb chubs of a generic label, all of which have a 73% lean, 27% fat ratio.

The products have a ‘best before or freeze by’ date of 12 September 2011 and the establishment number ‘245D’ ink-jetted along the package seam.

FSIS has asked consumers to check their freezers and immediately discard any product subject to this recall.

E coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhoea, dehydration and, in the most severe cases, kidney failure.