Ground Elk Meat Recalled for Potential E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Denver’s Frontiére Natural Meats LLC has recalled 1,640 pounds of ground elk meat that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. No illness reports are yet associated with the ground elk meat recall.

The recalled ground elk was distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia through retail stores. The recalled product was packed in 205 eight-pound cases containing 8 one- pound packages. Each is identified with a label that states, “DK Natural Meats All Natural Ground Elk,” with a “Use or Freeze By 4-27-15” on the back of each package.  Routine company testing detected the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in two of four sub-lots of bulk ground elk. As all four lots came from the same original batch, Frontiére is recalling all lots associated with the original.  Consumers who have purchased affected lots of DK Natural Meats All Natural Ground Elk are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or to discard the product in a manner that prevents humans or animals from potential consumption.  E. coli O157:H7 infection causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.