According to an article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Minnesota health officials have traced an E. coli outbreak in late April to ground beef sold at grocery several stores in Minnesota towns.
The meat was sold under a store label at the Edina Lunds, and Byerly’s stores in Minnetonka, Chanhassen and St. Louis Park, according to the health department.
Five adults and two children were among those sickened. Three were treated at area hospitals. The infections were reported between April 21 and April 28, according to the health department.
State health officials added that any ground beef purchased at the stores since April 7 should be thrown out or returned to the store.
In a Minnesota Department of Health press release, "E. coli O157:H7 cases linked to ground beef purchased at Lunds or Byerly’s stores since mid-April," Heidi Kassenborg, Acting Director of the Dairy and Food Inspection Division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture stated, "[W]e can’t be certain that meat from other stores is not involved, since all of the beef used for ground beef for Lunds and Beverly’s stores comes from a single procesing facility."
While the ground beef has not been recalled, the Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging consumers to throw out or return the ground beef products to stores.
As a precautionary measure, Lunds and Byerly’s have voluntarily removed many varieties of ground beef from all of their stores and are cooperating fully with the investigation.
Lunds and Byerly’s customers are urged to return or destroy fresh ground beef purchased at any of their stores since April 7, 2007. This includes ground beef purchased fresh then frozen at home. It includes fresh beef patties, fresh or frozen meatloaf and ground chili meat. Customers should return the ground beef to any Lunds or Byerly’s immediately for a full refund. (A receipt is not required.)