Beef Packers Salmonella Beef Outbreak Spreads

Fresno, CACalifornia has now joined several states warning its citizens not to eat salmonella-contaminated ground beef, another foodborne illness. Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), has warned Californians not to eat ground beef manufactured by Beef Packers, Inc. between June 5 and 23, 2009 because the products could be contaminated with Salmonella Newport, a potentially harmful bacterium.

This particular strain of Salmonella is resistant to many commonly prescribed drugs, which can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals. More than 412 tons (over 825,000 pounds) of product have been recalled by the manufacturer, Beef Packers, Inc. of Fresno. Beef Packers is owned by Cargill, Inc.

To date, there have been 40 reported cases in 11 states. California has reported five cases, three from Orange County and two from Tulare County. The majority of cases, 21 illnesses, have been reported in Colorado in the following counties: Arapahoe (3), Broomfield (3), Denver (3), Douglas (1), Elbert (1), Garfield (1), Jefferson (5), Mesa (1), Pueblo (1) and Weld (2). Four people have been hospitalized.

The recall involves ground beef products produced on various dates ranging from June 5, 2009, through June 23, 2009 which bear the establishment number "EST. 31913" printed on the case code labels. The beef was distributed to retail distribution centers in Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah. Because these products were repackaged into consumer-size packages and resold under different retail brand names, consumers should check with their local retailer to determine whether they may have purchased any of the products.

Most people became ill during late June and early July, with the most recent illness occurring July 13. Because it can take at least two weeks for cases of illness to be reported to the state health department, it is possible additional cases may be reported. Colorado has epidemiologic data showing that 15 of 16 confirmed illnesses (out of a total of 21 confirmed cases) purchased their ground beef product at Safeway Stores.

As part of its investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Newport associated with ground beef products, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment notified the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service of the situation. Epidemiologic and traceback investigations confirmed the association between the fresh ground beef products and illnesses reported in Colorado.

The illnesses also were linked through the epidemiologic investigation by their uncommon pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern found in PulseNet, a national network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cargill, inc., the owner of Beef Packers, Inc. has remained curiously silent about the recall. A search of Cargill's website revealed no notices or news about the outbreak.