ASHVILLE, N.Y. — Fairbank Farms has issued a voluntary recall for fresh ground-beef products sold in eight states. Approximately 545,699 lbs. of fresh ground beef product produced between Sept. 14 through Sept. 16, may be linked to E. coli O157:H7.

During the course of an investigation of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses, F.S.I.S. officials discovered the problem. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) and state health and agriculture departments, F.S.I.S. determined there is an association between the fresh ground beef products subject to recall and illnesses in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts. F.S.I.S. is continuing to work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, other state health and agriculture departments and the C.D.C. on the investigation.

Retailers in the region pulling ground beef from store shelves include B.J.’s Wholesale, Giant, Lancaster, Price Chopper, Shaw’s, Trader Joe’s and Wild Harvest.

"Our current priorities are to inform the public and address their concerns. Further, we want to help them to identify and remove any of the recalled products that may be in their freezers," said Ron Allen, chief executive officer of Fairbank Farms.

Recalled products are specifically defined and are past their expiration date by 23 to 32 days, the company relayed. This means they are no longer being sold as fresh product in supermarkets. The products were sold in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

"We're assisting our customers in conducting this recall," Mr. Allen said. "We are urging consumers to check their freezers for ground beef products that are listed in the recall. Consumers who identify these products should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund."