Adams Farm Slaughterhouse recalls meat products after E.coli scare

By Oscar Rousseau

- Last updated on GMT

Adams Farm Slaughterhouse criticised the US government's handling of the recall
Adams Farm Slaughterhouse criticised the US government's handling of the recall

Related tags Slaughterhouse Beef

Adams Farm Slaughterhouse, a Massachusetts-based company, has been forced to recall beef, veal and bison products by US health officials, due to a possible E.coli contamination.

The meat processor and abattoir has recalled all meat products over a six-week period after seven patients across four states contracted E.coli after eating beef linked to Adams Farm Slaughterhouse, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has claimed.

Adams Farm Slaughterhouse was told to issue a recall by USDA on 24 September. The recall on beef, veal and bison slaughtered covers a six-week period between 15 July and 26 August 2016.
 
The business has complied with the USDA recall, but has criticised its extensive timeframe, claiming the point of contamination has been narrowed down to two days in August. Adams Farm Slaughterhouse said the timeframe is based on “their [USDA’s] 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​”.

The statement added: “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.​”

What to check for?

The products subject to the recall bear establishment number EST. 5497 inside the USDA mark of inspection and have lot numbers: 120361, 121061, 121761, 121861, 122161, 122261, 122361, 122461, 122861, 123061, 123161, 123261, 123561, 123661, 123861, 124561, 125261, 125861, 125961, 124261, 120461, 120961, 121161, 121661, 124461, 125061, 126661.

Multi-state illness

All produces were shipped to farmers’ markets, retail sites and restaurants in Massachusetts, Connecticut and eastern New York.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was made aware of an investigation into an E.coli illness on 16 September. Through a concerted effort with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, FSIS established a link between the seven E.coli cases and Adams Farm Slaughterhouse.

Cases of E.coli were identified in four US states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The strain identified was E.coli O157:H7 – a potentially deadly bacterial infection that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhoea and cramp and in extreme cases, kidney failure.

FSIS and Adams Farm Slaughterhouse were concerned that some consumers may have frozen the meat.

For more information on the recall, visit the USDA website.

Related topics Meat

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