Recalled Beef May Have Been Sent To Several Pittsburgh-Area Stores
DETROIT (KDKA/AP) - An enormous beef recall has expanded to 10 different states, including Pennsylvania.
In total, 1.8 million pounds of ground beef is being removed from shelves because it could be contaminated with potentially deadly E. coli bacteria.
E. coli bacteria produces a toxin that causes terrible abdominal pain, kidney damage, and, in some cases, even death.
"This particular strain tends to get into the blood stream and can affect other organs: the kidneys, immune system," says Dr. Steve McGraw, an emergency room physician.
Investigators traced the bad meat back to Wolverine Packing Company in Detroit.
From there, it was shipped to stores in 10 different states, including Pennsylvania.
The U.S.D.A. announced which stores received the beef.
In our area, it went to Gordon Food Services, also known as G.F.S. Marketplace.
Officials with G.F.S. say that all of the recalled beef has been pulled from store shelves.
There are four G.F.S. stores in the Pittsburgh area, including Monroeville, Pleasant Hills, Robinson and Greensburg.
Eleven people have been sickened by the outbreak. Officials say no one has died.
But a man from Michigan, who got sick after eating a rare hamburger at a restaurant, says it was pretty bad.
"Almost died. I feel that way," said Kevin McDermed.
For its part, the meat packing plant said in a statement it's working with the U.S.D.A.
"We encourage anyone who has a concern to be sure to cook all ground beef to a minimum temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit."
CLICK HERE to view a complete list of affected products.
CLICK HERE to view the complete list of potentially affected stores.
RELATED LINKS
More Recalls
More Health News
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
