020751 ConAgra Tainted Beef Linked to 26 Illnesses

Washington - The number of illnesses from contaminated beef produced by ConAgra Foods Inc. has risen to at least 26 people in 5 states, federal and state health officials said.

ConAgra launched the nation's second-largest recall of ground beef, almost 19 million pounds, after the US Agriculture Department said meat from the company's Colorado plant may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it confirmed at least 25 illnesses linked to the ConAgra beef in Colorado, South Dakota, Michigan, Washington and Wyoming.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment added another person to CDC's total, bringing the number of cases in that state to 20.

Three cases were reported in South Dakota and one each in Michigan, Washington and Wyoming.

Of those became ill, six were hospitalized and later released.

The number of illnesses linked to the ConAgra meat could rise. CDC epidemiologist Pavani Kallerui said another "handful" of cases were under investigation.

The USDA had no immediate comment on how much of the tainted ground beef was returned to ConAgra by grocery stores, retailers and consumers.

The recalled beef was produced at ConAgra's Greeley, Colorado, plant between April 12 and July 11 and sold nationwide. The company first withdrew 354,200 pounds from the market on June 30.

Safeway, Kroger, Wal-Mart and Food Lion were among the grocery stores and supermarket chains that pulled food products from their shelves in reaction to the recall.

The label on all recalled meat bears the code "EST. 969" inside the USDA seal of inspection. Consumers should return the meat to a grocery store or discard it.

Further recall information is available on the USDA's Web site at http://www.usda.gov and by calling 866-849-7438.

Source: Reuters

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