Minnesota Department of Health

News Release

October 5, 2007

Contact information

E. coli O157:H7 cases linked to frozen ground beef patties purchased at Sam’s Club stores in August and September
Product removed from store shelves; customers asked to return or destroy

State health and agriculture officials are investigating four cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection in Minnesota residents associated with eating ground beef patties purchased from Sam’s Club stores in August and September.

Routine monitoring by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) found that the cases of illness were caused by E. coli O157:H7 with the same DNA fingerprint. All four cases were related to pre-made frozen ground beef patties purchased at Sam’s Club stores in the Twin Cities metro area. The people became ill between September 10 and 20 after consuming the meat. The brand name of the implicated frozen ground beef patties was “American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties.”

All four cases were children. Two of the cases developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and were hospitalized. One case has been discharged and one remains hospitalized.

“The Sam’s Club stores currently involved include the Eagan, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake stores. However, we can’t be certain that meat from other stores is not involved, since the brand of implicated frozen ground beef patties was likely sold at other Sam’s Club locations,” said Heidi Kassenborg, Acting Director of the Dairy and Food Inspection Division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

American Chef’s Selection Angus frozen Ground Beef Patties that were purchased on or after August 26, 2007 from a Sam’s Club store, whether still in the refrigerator or freezer, should not be used, but should be discarded or returned to the store, officials said.

“Thorough cooking kills E. coli bacteria. However, we know that some of this meat was contaminated so it is safer to eliminate the risk altogether by recommending that people not consume the meat,” said Kirk Smith, Supervisor of the Foodborne Illness Unit with MDH.

As a precautionary measure, Sam’s Club has voluntarily removed American Chef’s Selection Angus Frozen Ground Beef Patties from all of their stores and is cooperating fully with the investigation. MDA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine the source of the product contamination.

Sam’s Club customers are urged to return or destroy any American Chef’s Selection Angus Ground Beef Patties purchased at any of their stores since August 26, 2007. Customers should return the product to any Sam’s Club immediately for a full refund. A receipt is not required.

Food safety experts recommend cooking any ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F., or until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Also, avoid contaminating other foods with any E. coli bacteria that may be present in the meat by:

• Washing hands, utensils, and cutting boards after they have been in contact with raw meat before they touch other food.
• Putting cooked meat on a clean platter, rather than on the one that was used to hold raw meat.

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 illness include stomach cramps, which can be severe, and diarrhea. Diarrhea begins as loose, watery stools, with stools often turning bloody within 1-3 days. E. coli O157:H7 disease sometimes leads to a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can include kidney failure. People typically become ill two to five days after eating contaminated food. E. coli disease should not be treated with antibiotics, which can cause additional complications.

People who have developed those symptoms after consuming this product should contact their physician.

For more information from Sam’s Club and a list of ground beef products that should be returned or destroyed, please call 888-746-7726 or visit www.samsclub.com.

-MDH-

Editor’s Note: Media calls for Sam’s Club can be directed to 800-331-0085.

For more information, contact:

Doug Schultz
MDH Communications
(651) 201-4993

Margaret Hart
MDA Communications
(651) 201-6131

Kirk Smith
MDH Foodborne Disease
(651) 201-5240

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