California-based Montclair Meat Company Inc. issued a recall May 15 for approximately 53,000 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The products subject to recall include various pound packages of “MONTCLAIR MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF” and various pound packages of “MONTCLAIR MEAT CO. ALL BEEF PATTIES”.

Each package bears establishment number “Est. 6116” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These ground beef products were produced between the dates of May 3, 2010 and May 13, 2010, and were shipped to retailers and for further processing at USDA-regulated meat companies in the Los Angeles area.

The E coli contamination was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

A list of retailers involved in the recall has not yet been released.

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.

Anyone with questions regarding the recall should contact the company’s owner, Doug White, at (909) 985-9616.