In July 2002, 17 Colorado residents were infected with E. coli O157:H7. Several reports of infections also came in from neighboring states. There had been an initial recall by ConAgra Beef Company in June, of 354,200 pounds of ground beef. The strain of E. coli matched that of the recalled beef.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service expanded the ConAgra recall to 18.6 million pounds of ground beef, one of the largest meat recalls in US history.
In the weeks that followed, more than 45 people in 23 states reported illnesses linked to the contaminated ground beef.
It was found that USDA inspectors first knew of the E. coli contamination at the ConAgra plant in May, but had failed to issue a recall. Subsequent inspections throughout the next month also showed positive test results for E. coli, but a recall was not issued by ConAgra until June 30, 2002.
ConAgra admitted that it knew about the positive test results before the recall was issued, but had doubted the results of the tests. Reports indicate that ConAgra received 31 violations in the 13 months before its June and July 2002 ground beef recalls. At least 15 of those violations involved cattle feces, which carries the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.
After the 18.6 million pound recall, federal officials began taking a closer look at the USDA’s E.coli testing processes as well as company practices. In November 2002, the ConAgra plant in Greeley, Colorado, (the plant responsible for the outbreak) was shut down by the USDA.
Other E. coli Lawsuits
E. coli Lawsuit filed in Washington State against Torero's Mexican Restaurant
Aldi Falafels sicken 24 with E. coli in 6 States
HelloFresh linked to E. coli Outbreak in Six States
Wendy's E. coli Outbreak Grows to 109 Victims, 13 with Acute Kidney Failure
Leafy Green E. coli Outbreak sickens 13 in 6 states
E. coli Outbreak linked to Josie’s Organics, Fresh Thyme and Braga Fresh baby spinach
Jellystone Park Camp Resort linked to E. coli Outbreak
Portillo's Restaurant linked to E. coli outbreak, four customers sickened
Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak sickens 16 in 12 States
E. coli linked to Pure Eire Dairy Yogurt sickens seventeen people in Washington and Arizona
Marler Clark retained in yet another Jimmy John's E. coli Outbreak
Fresh Express Salad Kits linked to E. coli outbreak in US and Canada
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E. coli Food Poisoning
What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so...
E. coli O157:H7
E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in...
Non-O157 STEC
Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least...
Sources of E. coli
Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are...
Transmission of and Infection with E. coli
While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination...
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