Organic Ground Beef Recalled Over E. Coli Fears

WASHINGTON (CBS) — The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service  has announced a nationwide recall of more than 34,000 pounds of organic ground beef that was produced at a Hawthorne establishment.

The 34,373 pounds of beef were produced at First Class Foods, Inc.

The meat is being recalled over possible fears some of the product was tainted by E. coli.

There have been no reports of illness.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that in severe cases can cause kidney failure.

Products affected include:
*16-oz packages of "Nature's Harvest Organic Ground Beef Brick" (sold singly with use or freeze by date 12/30/10 or 01/08/11)
*16-oz packages of "Nature's Harvest Organic Ground Beef Brick" (sold singly and in three-packs with use or freeze by dates 12/28/10 or 01/06/11)
*16-oz packages of "Nature's Harvest Organic Ground Patty" (containing four 4-0z patties with use or freeze by dates 12/30/10 or 01/08/11)

Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 18895" as well as the pack dates of "10341" and "10350."

The meat was reportedly shipped to retail stores in California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington State and Wisconsin.

Consumer's needing more information should call First Class Foods at (310) 676-2500.

Consumer's can also ask questions to "Ask Karen", the FSIS's 24-hour hotline at http://askkaren.gov.

The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is 1-888-MP-HOTLINE (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST).