Montclair Meat Co., Inc., of Montclair, California, announced yesterday that part of the approximately 53,000 pounds of ground beef the company recalled for potential E. coli contamination on May 15 had been distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, institutions, and federal establishments for further processing.  

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled ground beef products.   The contamination was discovered during routine microbiological sampling.

Products subject to recall include Various pound packages of “MONTCLAIR MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF” and “MONTCLAIR MEAT CO. ALL BEEF PATTIES”

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.