WASHINGTON – Jouni Meats, Inc. recalled approximately 500 lbs. of ground beef on concerns it may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The Sterling Heights, Mich.-based retailer initiated the recall on concerns the products may be related to a cluster of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses associated with consumption of raw ground beef from a restaurant in Macomb County, Mich., FSIS said. Working with the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and health departments in Michigan and Arizona, FSIS determined there is a link between the ground beef products from Jouni Meats and the illnesses.

Based on epidemiologic and traceback investigations, seven case-patients with the same outbreak strain have been identified in Arizona and Michigan with illness onset dates ranging from Dec. 9, 2012, to Dec. 13, 2012, FSIS reported. The seven case-patients consumed raw beef kibbeh on Dec. 7, 2012, and Dec. 8, 2012. Kibbeh is a Middle Eastern dish made of bulgur, minced onions and ground red meat, usually beef, lamb or goat.

Test results that will determine whether the strain is drug resistant are pending.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. The affected products include various size packages of ground beef that were produced between Dec. 4, 2012, and Dec. 9, 2012. The product was distributed to a restaurant in Macomb County and sold directly to consumers at Jouni Meats. The products were sold without a label, according to FSIS.