Ground beef recalled after Napa children sickened by E. coli
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 04/20/2007 09:59:53 PM PDT


NAPA, Calif.- State health officials on Friday announced a recall in
five states of frozen ground beef patties after at least three Napa
County children who ate at Little League baseball snack shacks were
sickened by E. coli.

The recall was issued for about 100,000 pounds of frozen patties
produced by Merced-based Richwood Meat Co. Inc. from April to May
2006 and distributed in California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and
Washington.

The children all fell ill after eating hamburgers at the St. Helena
and Calistoga Little League fields, and have since recovered, said
Karen Smith, Napa County's public health officer. Those cases were
reported on April 3-4, she said.

Two other possible cases are being investigated, she said.

E. coli infection causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea. It typically
resolves itself in five to 10 days, although complications can arise
in young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune
systems.

The products being recalled are hamburger patties and ground beef
sold under the brands Fireriver, Chef's Pride, Ritz Food, Blackwood
Farms, California Pacific Associates, C&C Distributing, Golbon and
Richwood.

"Consumers should check their freezers for these products and
destroy them or take them back to place of purchase to ensure they
do not become ill," said Dr. Mark Horton, state public health
officer.