Canadian supermarket chain, Loblaws, recalls Butcher’s Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers due to E. coli risk

Hamburger Public domain photo/Lucas via Wikimedia Commons

Brampton, Ontario company, Loblaws, has issued a voluntary recall for certain Butcher’s Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers that were distributed nationally due to the potential of E. coliO157:H7 contamination.

According to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) health hazard alert Wednesday, the affected product, Butcher’s Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers, is sold frozen in 1.13 kg packages bearing UPC 0 60383 89363 7. The affected product bears the code BEST BEFORE 2013 MR 03 EST 752.

Both Loblaws and the CFIA are warning the public not to consume the potentially tainted product.

The CFIA says this recall is the result of an ongoing investigation into a number of E. coli O157:H7 related illnesses in Canada.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Symptoms of the diseases caused by E.coli O157:H7 include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that may in some cases progress to bloody diarrhea. The infection may lead to a life-threatening disease, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is characterized by acute renal failure, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. It is estimated that up to 10% of patients with E.coli infection may develop HUS, with a case-fatality rate ranging from 3% to 5%.

For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page