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Beef Recalled After 2 From Connecticut Become Sick In E. Coli Outbreak

Beef products from a slaughterhouse have been recalled after two people from Connecticut were hospitalized — and five were sickened in other states — in an outbreak of E. coli, according to federal officials.

Beef from a slaughterhouse in Massachusetts has been recalled due to an outbreak of E. coli in Connecticut and three other states.

Beef from a slaughterhouse in Massachusetts has been recalled due to an outbreak of E. coli in Connecticut and three other states.

Photo Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The mult-state outbreak of E. coli appears to be linked to beef products from Adams Farm Slaughterhouse in Athol, Mass., the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on its website. The products were sold to farmers markets, retail locations and restaurants in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York and possibly neighboring states

The Connecticut Department of Public Health said two state residents were hospitalized but have since recovered in the incidents. DPH officials collected leftover ground beef from an ill person's home and from a restaurant for testing in the cases. DPH test results found E. coli in both samples of the leftover ground beef, which was from Adams Farm Slaughterhouse.

The people who became ill between June and September range in age from 1 to 74 years old and are from Massachusetts (three cases), Connecticut (two cases), Pennsylvania and West Virginia (one case each). 

E. coli infection can cause intestinal illnesses, such as diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Most people recover within one week. according to the CDC. No deaths have been reported.

Adams Farm Slaughterhouse has recalled a number of cuts of beef, veal and bison products in the case. It posted the following statement on its website:

"We have narrowed down the point of contamination to two days in the middle of August and have been working with our farmer customers to ensure that none of that product is sold and for them to inform their customers. It is the usual practice for all product that is cut and packaged on the same days that any contaminated product is packaged to be part of a recall and we took immediate steps to ensure that all product associated with those two days of production have been recalled," the statement said.

"The USDA has instructed us to also recall product from all animals slaughtered over a seven-week period, many weeks before and after the actual contamination took place, because of their fear, which is both unjustified and unrealistic, that there may have been cross contamination on the day of slaughter despite each carcass being hung separately from the time of kill to being cut and packaged. 

"While we are very concerned over the USDA’s over-reaction and its impact on our customers, we have fully cooperated with their requirements but want our customers to be aware that we stand behind all of our products and will continue to stand behind all of our farmer customers and their consumers."

For the complete list of the products subject to recall, click here for the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

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