ATLANTA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported an undetermined amount of bison burgers and bison ground products were recalled following a possible E. coli O121 and O103 outbreak.
“Consumers who have recalled ground bison burger patties in their home should not eat them,” the CDC said in a statement. “Throw them away or return them to the store for a refund. Even if some of the recalled patties have been eaten and no one got sick, do not eat them.”
The products came from St. Leonard, Quebec-based Northfork Bison Distribution Inc. and were produced between Feb. 22 and April 30, 2019. In retail stores, the packages of bison product were labeled with expiration dates through Oct. 8, 2020 and were sold in 4x4 oz. packages.
The company announced that the bison was distributed in the eastern and central United Sates at retail outlets and institutions.
So far, the government agencies reported 21 case patients across New York (9), Florida (4), Pennsylvania (3), New Jersey (2), Michigan, Missouri and Connecticut (1 in each state) have been treated for E. coli. Eight people went to the hospital, but no deaths or cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a type of kidney failure, have occurred.
People interviewed by the CDC and FDA said they ate bison at both restaurants and in their homes. The two agencies are also working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).