On May 21, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Valley Meats LLC was recalling approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef products for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The ground beef was produced on March 10, 2009, and was distributed nationwide in several forms, particularly frozen hamburger patties and un-formed ground beef.
Several states reported illness associated with the consumption of the ground beef products. The Ohio Department of Health informed FSIS of an E. coli outbreak among Ohio residents on May 13, 2009. An Ohio child's death may be linked to the outbreak, and the public health investigation into her E. coli illness and death is ongoing. E. coli cases associated with this outbreak have also been reported in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
According to the FSIS recall notification, frozen ground beef products, including pre-formed hamburger patties from several brands, were recalled. Those brands recalling potentially E. coli-contaminated product included 3S Brand, Grillmaster, J&B, Klub, Thick 'N Savory, and Ultimate. In addition, ground beef products produced by Valley Meats were sold with non-specific name brands.
Marler Clark represented the family of a girl who died due to E. coli infection from the Valley Meats outbreak, and her grandfather. Their cases were resolved in 2010.