SARASOTA, FL (WWSB/RNN) - Publix is recalling ground chuck products in Florida due to possible contamination of a strain of E. coli.
The items were purchased by consumers between June 25 and July 31. The USDA is concerned some people may still have these products in their freezers. They include:
- Bacon & cheddar burgers
- Bacon & cheddar meatballs
- Bacon & cheddar slider
- Bacon & fried onion burger
- Bacon & fried onion meatball
- Bacon & fried onion slider
- Badia seasoned ground chuck burger
- Blue cheese burgers
- Blue cheese meatballs
- Blue cheese slider
- Ground chuck
- Ground chuck burgers
- Ground chuck for chili
- Ground chuck for meat loaf
- Ground chuck slider
- Jalapeno & cheddar slider
- Jalapeno and cheddar burger
- Jalapeno and cheddar meatballs
- Meat loaf grillers
- Mesquite seasoned ground chuck burger
- Montreal seasoned chuck burger
- Seasoned meatloaf (oven ready)
- Spanish meatballs
- Steakhouse seasoned ground chuck burger
- Stuffed peppers (oven ready)
- Stuffed pimento cheese burger
- Swiss & mushroom burger
- Swiss & mushroom meatball
- Swiss & mushroom slider
They were sold in the following Florida counties:
- Brevard
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Collier
- DeSoto
- Flagler
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Indian River
- Lake
- Lee
- Manatee
- Marion
- Orange
- Osceola
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- St. Lucie
- Sumter
- Volusia
Consumers are advised to throw these items away or return them to the store.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service was notified on Aug. 16 of an investigation into E. coli O26 illnesses. There have been 18 cases, most of which are in Florida, that started between July 5 and July 25. The investigation found each had consumed ground chuck products from Publix, but the source is still being determined.
The following information was provided by the USDA:
"E. coli O26, like the more common E. coli O157:H7, is a serovar of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). People can become ill from STECs 2-8 days (average of 3-4 days) after exposure to the organism.
"Most people infected with STEC O26 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but rarely, some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is uncommon with STEC O26 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately."
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