According to federal officials, over 3,500 pounds of beef shipped to retailers in New York and New Jersey was recalled due to concerns of possible E.coli contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on June 15 that the Newark, NJ-based company G & M Co. is recalling its beef products produced between June 8 and June 10. The products in question are trimmings marked with plant identifier “M5476” and plastic-wrapped beef cuts.
According to FSIS, the list of affected retailers includes, but may not be limited to:
- Al Quds Halal Meat in Paterson, NJ
- Fattal’s Bakery in Paterson, NJ
- Nizam International Market in Cliffside Park, NJ
- Quality Halal Meat Market in Paterson, NJ
- Ray’s Enterprise in Newark, NJ
A FSIS spokesman said that ground beef was not affected by the recall, stating that typical examples of the meat in question includes products like beef flank, beef short-loins, and top-round roast. The list of retailers and specific sellers has yet to be released, but G & M Co. and FSIS are worried that some of the products in question may already be in consumers’ refrigerators and freezers.
G & M Co. and FSIS urge consumers not to consume any of these products, and that they should be returned to the place of purchase or thrown away immediately. FSIS Inspection Program Personnel identified the positive test for E.coli on June 14 through sampling and testing.
E.coli can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dehydration, and in some cases death. According to federal officials, most people who consume E.coli recover within a week, but others can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. It is most common in older adults and children under the age of five, but anyone could potentially suffer from the condition.