In reaction to the confirmed detection of the outbreak strain of E. Coli O157:H7 in a sample of ground beef sold by a Kroger store in Ohio, The Kroger Company has announced a recall of all ground beef products that were sold between May 21 and June 8, 2008 at its stores throughout Michigan and in central and northern Ohio (Columbus and Toledo areas). There were a total of 32 illnesses reported - 15 in Michigan and 17 in Ohio.

The Kroger press release was issued on June 25, 2008 - so if you still have 2 week old beef in your fridge, that you bought from Kroger ... and you live in Michigan or Ohio - throw it out! Customers with questions about the recall can contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900.

I say, customers who have had symptoms of during that time period, such as sever diarrhea, and went to the doctor who might have taken stool samples should call a lawyer. It's despicable that Kroger did not recall the beef as soon as the USDA told them they were the suspected in the illnesses. Instead the USDA basically had to prove it to them beyond a shadow of a doubt - with epidemiological investigations and a case control study.

Photo Credit: Robert Sanzalone/ Flickr

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