Massachusetts meat packing plant issues voluntary recall

South Shore Meat Company in Brockton, Mass. has initiated a voluntary recall on certain ground beef and other beef products based on confirmed laboratory evidence of the presence of E. coli O157:H7.

The media release from the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) says the e. coli was found in leftover ground beef samples obtained from a nature camp in Plymouth, Mass. Suspect ground beef patties were collected and tested by the Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) after more than 20 school children and adults from Rhode Island, who had visited Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Mass., the week of October 13th became ill with gastrointestinal symptoms. DPH is continuing to investigate the outbreak in cooperation with the Rhode Island Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is now laboratory evidence that the ground beef collected at the camp is the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 confirmed in two of the children. No other camp attendees have reported any illnesses to date. DPH is continuing to work with United States Department of Agriculture to identify all affected beef products that will need to be recalled. Additional information on recalled products will be posted here as it becomes available. Anyone with signs or symptoms of food borne illness should consult their health care provider, local board of health, the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800 or the Food Protection Program at 617-983-6712.