Pennsylvania Does Not Want You To Suffer Kidney Failure

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced they will investigate an outbreak of E. coli-related illnesses believed to be the result of tainted beef. Topps is the guilty party - the company has been selling frozen, round beefsicles since 1940 - and announced a recall after 21 people in eight states fell ill.

The most serious case occurred in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where a teenage girl spent three weeks in the hospital because of kidney failure. Her Mother purchased frozen Topps patties in mid-August, and young Samantha Safranek made the unfortunate mistake of grilling and eating one just days later. The USDA has since tested multiple boxes, turning up the same strain of E. coli that caused Safranek to become sick. Safranek’s family, incidentally, has sued Wal-Mart for continuing to sell the product.

From the Business Wire:

Topps Meats announced on Tuesday that it would recall 331,582 pounds of frozen beef patties distributed in the New York City area as well as nationwide. Also, Wal-Mart recently announced it would remove the Topps burger products from its stores.

“We’re not sure why it took both Topps and Wal-Mart so long to respond to this danger,” Schlesinger said. “They were both notified last month, once Samantha’s lab test results were completed and once the E. coli diagnosis was made.”

Four cases have been reported in Pennsylvania, prompting the investigation.

State health agency investigating possible beef contamination [Citizen Voice]

Burgers may have caused 21 to get sick [Associated Press via USA Today]

Sheldon J. Schlesinger, P.A., Press Release [Business Wire]

Posted by Corey Himrod on Friday, September 28, 2007

Click Here for a Printer-Friendly Version