August 15, 1997

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Public Health today released a list of Illinois retail stores that received Hudson Food Company frozen ground beef patties that are part of a nationwide recall due to possible contamination with E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria.

The hamburger was voluntarily recalled earlier this week by Hudson Foods after reports of illness with E. coli 0157:H7 were received from several Colorado consumers who ate the product in early July. No reports of illness associated with the Hudson Food ground beef have been reported in Illinois.

Through a review of Hudson Food distribution records, the Department has been able to determine the implicated lots of the frozen ground beef patties were sold in Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in 33 Illinois cities. A check of the stores by the Department determined the product has been removed from the shelf and, if the patties did reach a check out counter, an electronic scanner would block the sale.

However, because consumers may still have the product in their home, Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, urged people who may have purchased the suspect product to return it to the place of purchase.

Illinois stores that received the implicated ground beef patties were:

• Eleven Wal-Marts, located in Carbondale, Danville, DeKalb, Jerseyville, Kewanee, Mattoon, Moline, Mount Vernon, Normal, Plano and Sparta.

• Twenty-two Sam's Club stores, located in Addison, Cicero, Crystal Lake, Des Plaines, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Gurnee, Hodgkins, Joliet, Lansing, Marion, Matteson, Naperville, Northlake, O'Fallon, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, Streamwood, Tinley Park, Wheeling and Woodridge.

The following three Hudson products are part of the recall:

• All 48-ounce (3-pound) packages of "Hudson Beef Burgers, Individually Quick Frozen," containing 12 one-quarter pound frozen patties, with the code "156A7" embossed in the bottom of the bag;

• All 3-pound packages of "Hudson 100% Pure Beef Patties, Individually Quick Frozen," containing 12 one-quarter pound frozen patties with the code "156B7" embossed on the bottom of the bag; and

• All 15-pound boxes of "Hudson 60 - 1/4 lb. Beef Patties, Uncooked Individually Quick Frozen" containing 60 one-quarter pound frozen patties, with the code "155B7" printed near the bar code on the side panel of the box.

"Est. 13569" appears inside the USDA inspection seal on the label of the three products.

E. coli 0157H7 causes severe, often bloody diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps. In some persons, particularly children younger than 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can result in stroke, seizures and death.

The bacteria most often is found in undercooked ground beef. Beef that is still pink, or has blood-tinged juices, has not been cooked enough to kill the bacteria.

The organism can be found in the intestines of cattle and when the animals are slaughtered, the meat can be contaminated by intestinal contents. When the meat is ground, fecal organisms on the outside of the meat are mixed throughout the ground beef. These bacteria can survive unless the meat is thoroughly cooked.

Work surfaces that come in contact with raw ground beef also should be thoroughly cleaned before using again.

E. coli 0157:H7 is present in the stools of infected persons, and can be passed from one person to another if hygiene and hand washing habits are inadequate.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments