1.58M POUNDS OF MEAT RECALLED: Warehouse temperature failures, E. coli berries pulled

Authorities in the United States have announced a sweeping Class I recall touching more than 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry, combined with expanded warnings for frozen organic berries that may carry dangerous E. coli contamination.

Kayem Foods Inc., headquartered in Chelsea, Massachusetts, initiated the meat recall after discovering that shipments had been stored at improper temperatures in a warehouse cooler. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said that recurring temperature deviations in the storage facility created an environment where harmful bacteria could multiply. The affected products, which include deli cuts, sausages, bacon, and poultry items, were manufactured between March 31 and October 7 and shipped to grocery stores, institutional food services, and distribution centres nationwide. Consumers can identify recalled items by looking for establishment numbers EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A, or EST. M 9520 on the USDA inspection mark.

No illnesses have been confirmed so far. However, regulators worry that people may still have contaminated products stored at home, particularly items bought during summer and early fall that have long shelf lives.

Berry Alert Widens

At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration expanded its recall of frozen organic berries linked to Escherichia coli O145:H28, a strain that produces Shiga toxin. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., the supplier, added new product lots to the warning, including Walmart's Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend and Great Value Organic Blueberries, as well as certain batches of Trader Joe's Organic Mixed Berry Blend.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. The infection poses particular danger to young children and elderly people, who face higher risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition affecting kidney function.

Both agencies are urging shoppers to check product codes right away, throw away or return affected items, and clean all kitchen surfaces and containers that may have touched the recalled goods.