Peck Meat Packing, a division of Emmpak Foods and one of the largest meat processors in the US, is voluntarily expanding the recall of ground beef because of possible contamination by E. coli O157:H7.

The total amount of ground beef now being recalled is approximately 2.8 million pounds, which includes the 416,000 pounds announced on 27 September.

"After reviewing the situation with the US Department of Agriculture, we have decided to recall all of the ground beef produced at the plant from 20 August to 24 August," said Justin Segel, president of Emmpak. "Although the products recalled 27 September and what we are recalling today came from different production lines, both Peck/Emmpak and USDA feel we should expand the recall."

The ground beef products being recalled are packaged in cylindrical tubes. All packages bear the establishment number "20654" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

There are three categories of products being recalled, only one category of which would be readily identifiable by consumers. These are 5-pound tubes of Ground Beef Chuck and Ground Beef 20 per cent Fat, with sell by dates of 9-5-02, 9-6-02, 9-7-02 and 9-8-02. The packages bear the establishment number "20654" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The other two categories of products being recalled are 5 and 10-pound tubes of ground beef sold to retail stores, but reprocessed and repackaged, and which are also sold to institutional customers.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly type of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhoea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Anyone who suspects they may have foodborne illness should contact a physician.