Canadian officials warn public of E. coli risk in Prime Rib Beef Burgers
Brampton, ON company, Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd., has issued a voluntary recall of Cardinal Select brand Prime Rib Beef Burgers after E. coli O157:H7 was detected during product testing, according to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) health hazard alert Saturday.
According to the alert, the affected product, Cardinal brand Prime Rib Beef Burgers, is sold in 1.13 kg packages bearing UPC 0 63351 01561 1. The affected product bears the code BEST BEFORE 2013JL 31 EST 752.
In addition, both the CFIA and the company are warning the public not to consume the potentially tainted product.
This product has been distributed nationally.
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%.
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