E. coli warning on 135 burger products

Celebrate summer-like temperatures on the first day of spring with a barbecue – but beware more than 135 burger and beef steakette products sold under a variety of brand names now under an E. coli warning.

The affected brand names include: Best Value,   Irresistibles, Keg, Licks, Maple Lodge Farms,    PC and PC Blue Menu, Calgary Stampede,  Country Morning Gold, Western Family and    Grillhouse. The full list of products is available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website. List of affected products and codes here: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2012/20120319cliste.shtml

All of the beef was produced at Establishment 761 between July 1, 2011 and Feb. 15, 2012.
There has been one reported illness from the beef, the CFIA says.

The recall of products produced at Establishment 761 began last week, when only selected Best Value burgers were affected. The CFIA says an investigation is under way and more products might be affected. Any new affected products  will be added to the list on the agency’s website.

The meat was distributed across the country to retail stores, restaurants and institutions such as hospitals.

The CFIA says the affected products can be identified by the Establishment number 761 that appears on the packages, cartons or cases. They may also have a best before date from Jan. 1, 2012 up to and including Feb. 15, 2013 and a production code with a format of 11 JL 01 up to and including 12 FE 15.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled, but eating it may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. The illness can lead to significant blood loss and permanent kidney damage. In the most severe cases, the illness can be fatal.