Ground beef sold in Canada is being recalled because testing shows contamination with E. coli O157:H7.
The ground beef was not packaged under any specific brand. It was sold at various Pistachio Quality Meats and Grocery stores in Ontario.
There is concern that consumers may store ground beef in freezers.
For a list of locations where the recalled ground beef was sold and label information, see Click here.
About E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and develops symptoms of an E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Diagnosing infections requires special tests that can mimic other diseases.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection vary from person to person, but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea that is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others may develop serious or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About 5 to 10 percent of people diagnosed with E. coli infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, minor unexplained bruising or bleeding, and paleness.
Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injury or death. This condition can occur in people of any age, but it is most common in children under five years of age due to their immature immune systems, in older adults due to a deteriorating immune system, and in people with weakened immune systems such as cancer patients.
People experiencing symptoms of HUS should seek emergency medical help immediately. People with HUS are more likely to be hospitalized because the disease can cause other serious and permanent problems, such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurological problems.
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