With 4th of July weekend just around the corner, it's the worse possible time of year for a beef recall to be taking place - and yet it's happening. This is MASSIVE people, so I strongly suggest that you think twice about eating hamburgers and other beef products that you haven't prepared yourself - you don't know where they got it from, and getting sick from E. coli is no picnic.

• It started at the beginning of June with 32 people identified sick from E. coli in states of Ohio and Michigan.
• The outbreak was traced back to ground beef sold by Kroger who issued a recall on June 25 for "ground beef products with a sell-by date between 05/21/08 and 06/08/08."
• The supplier was then identified as Nebraska Beef who also issued a recall BUT they sent their meat to Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, for further processing which means there is no way identify the contaminated meat. So it may or may not have "EST. 19336" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• Now, Kroger has expanded their beef recall and other places are too.

The recall affects Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division, which includes stores in North Carolina, Northeastern Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia with "sell-by" dates between May 19 to June 6. The recall also includes ground-beef products in styrofoam tray packages wrapped in clear cellophane or bought from an in-store service counter sold between May 21 and July 3.

Kroger also recalled Private Selection Natural ground beef sold in 16-ounce packages with "sell-by" dates July 11 to July 21. The product was available at all Kroger stores as well as Dillons, Fred Meyer, Baker's, Smith's and Fry's.

Customers who shop at Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less, and Scott's should follow the "sell-by" dates listed above for Kroger stores. Other meat being recalled includes these stores and sell buy dates:

Fry's . May 21 to July 3
Ralphs. May 21 to July 3
Smith's. May 21 to July 3
Baker's. May 17-June 4
King Soopers. June 20-July 3
City Market. June 20-July 3

I don't eat beef, but if I did - I wouldn't be touching it at least until August. Please think twice before you purchase any beef, and cook it properly. Ideally, you would stay away from it totally and this 4th of July, eat hot dogs (made form pork, turkey and/or chicken if possible). Most Veggie Burgers are really delish! Read the review of my favorites Morningstar Farms Mushroom Lovers and Veggie Tomato and Basil Pizza Burger.

Source: Google News
Photo Credit: Robert Sanzalone/ Flickr

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