Bison Meat Recalled Due to E. Coli Scare
Approximately 66,000 pounds of ground and tenderized steak bison meat has been recalled by Rocky Mountain Natural Meats of Henderson, Colorado. It is believed that the meat may contain a dangerous type of E. coli.
The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said that five cases of E. coli O157:H7 occurred in Colorado between June 4 and June 9 with the suspected culprit being the bison meat. E. coli O157:H7 can be fatal, especially to the young and elderly, and can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and possibly kidney failure.
The meat, produced between May 21 and May 27, was sold to retail establishments all over the nation and to food service distributors in Utah and Arizona.
Although the use by date has passed, the Food Safety and Inspection Service fear that some consumers may have frozen the tainted bison. The products under recall are:
16-ounce packages of Great Range All Natural Ground Bison (sell- or freeze-by date of June 21, 22, or 24)
16-ounce packages of Nature’s Rancher Ground Buffalo (sell- or freeze-by date of June 22)
16-ounce packages of The Buffalo Guys All Natural Ground Buffalo 90 Percent Lean (with the lot number of 0147)
12-ounce packages of Great Range Brand All Natural Bison Steak Medallions (sell- or freeze-by date of June 23 and 24)
12-ounce packages of Great Range Brand All Natural Bison Sirloin Steaks (sell- or freeze-by date of June 20, 23 and 24)
15-pound boxes of Rocky Mountain Natural Meats Inc. Bison 10 oz. Sirloin Steaks (which went to restaurants and bear a Julian Code of 0141)
Consumers with the recalled meat should contact Rocky Mountain Natural Meats at 1-800-325-4164 or visit their web page for more information.