THURSDAY, June 26, (News Locale) - Amidst reports of E coli contamination, Kroger Co has announced a voluntary recall of ground beef sold in Michigan and Ohio. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the suspected E.coli products were sold between May 21 and June 8 at Michigan and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio Kroger retail stores. 

None of the affected products remain available for purchase at stores, the company said. However consumers were advised to check their refrigerators and freezers and either discard or return the ground beef products.

The voluntary recall was initiated after a case control study by the Michigan and Ohio Departments of Agriculture and Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found at least 32 illnesses associated with consumption of ground beef products.

Escherichia coli or (E. coli) is a bacterium normally found in the gut of human beings. Under normal circumstances, the bacteria play an important role in waste processing, vitamin K production, and food absorption from the large intestine.

However the E. coli strain O157:H7 is associated with a host of illnesses in man. Prime among these diseases are food poisoning, urinary tract infections, peritonitis, meningitis and septicemia.

The O157:H7 strain of E.coli was linked to the outbreak caused by fresh bagged spinach in late 2006. In the very young and the very old, E.coli can prove to be a fatal infection. E.coli is also found in raw and undercooked beef, infected water and milk.

Symptoms of E.coli infection include bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Most E.coli infections are linked to consuming undercooked, contaminated ground beef, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumers can prevent E. coli O157:H7 infection by cooking ground beef thoroughly and by avoiding drinking unpasteurized milk. Additionally washing hands carefully before preparing or eating food is also advised.

In April 2007 an E.coli outbreak forced federal officials to recall 100,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties in five US states. California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington were the states where the tainted beef was sold. The recall was initiated after five children fell ill in Napa County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following guidelines to prevent E.coli infection,
* Cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly
* If you are served an undercooked hamburger or other ground beef product in a restaurant, send it back for further cooking.
* Wash fruits and vegetables under running water, especially those that will not be cooked.
* Make sure persons with diarrhea, especially children, wash their hands carefully with soap after bowel movements to reduce the risk of spreading infection.

Following simple guidelines can prevent E.coli infections. In the present recall, consumers with questions about the recall should contact the Kroger Consumer Hotline at (800) 632-6900.