The six products were pulled from store shelves across Canada as part of a massive, multi-brand beef recall on March 17, and initially identified by name, weight and UPC code as:
• Angus Beef Burgers, size 1.13 kg, UPC 0 59749 89521 7
• Beef Burgers Mushroom Swiss, size 1.13 kg, UPC 0 59749 89524
• Sirloin Beef Burgers, Roasted Garlic and Onion, size 1.13 kg, UPC 0 59749 89523 1
• Sirloin Beef Burgers, Original, size 1.13 kg, UPC 0 59749 89520 0
• Sirloin Beef Burgers, Peppercorn, size 1.13 kg, UPC 0 59749 89523 1
• Life Smart Lean Sirloin Beef Burgers, size 687 g, UPC 0 59749 91317 1
The CFIA now says the frozen beef burgers can also be spotted by a five-digit lot code with the first four numbers ranging from 0012 to 0472, or from 1821 to 3651. The codes can be found on the outside panels of any of the aforementioned boxes.
E. coli are bacteria that mainly affect the intestines of humans and animals. Food contaminated with them may not necessarily smell or look bad, but the consequences of consuming it are serious. E. coli symptoms include severe stomach cramps, often bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and headaches. Health problems usually start within three to four days, but can occur up to 10 days later, and last from five to 10 days, according to the CFIA website.
The agency says cooking food to a safe internal temperature helps protect against E. coli, but the public is advised to avoid products affected by the current recall altogether.
The CFIA's investigation surrounding a country-wide recall of some 135 different beef products is ongoing. Brands include President's Choice, Best Value, Calgary Stampede, Country Morning Gold, Exclusive Selections, Grillhouse, Irresistibles, Keg and Maple Lodge Farms.
The affected goods can be identified by the establishment number 761 and were produced between July 1, 2011 and Feb. 15, 2012.
For more information, consumers can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342. A complete list of recalled food products can be found here.
