Big Beef Recall

An Alberta, Canada firm is recalling 204,000 pounds of ground beef products distributed in the United States that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

The meat is being recalled by IBP-Lakeside Packers, the U.S. Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Sunday.

All of the ground beef products recalled in the United States are packaged in generic 10 pound cartons that are marked with the "Lakeside Packers" emblem and bear the Canada "38" plant identification number on the box end panels. Each carton bears an identifying code of "Pack Date 01MAR2001" and one of the following product code numbers: "L0311BH" or "L0231BH."

The ground beef was produced on March 1 and sent to wholesale distributors in California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Meat was also sent to wholesale and retail distributors in Canada.

IBP-Lakeside Packers decided to issue the recall after a sample of ground beef from a retail store in Sasketchewan was found to contain E. coli.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact IBP's toll-free customer service response number at 888-299-5529.

©MMI, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed