Recall: Company Stops Sale of Ground Beef for Potential Contamination

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the recall of ground beef products processed by Ranchers Legacy Meat Co. of Vadnais Heights, Minn.

Routine inspections by the Food Safety Inspection Service demonstrated products could be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps two to eight days after exposure. Though most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome. It is most common in children under 5 and older adults. The kidney failure is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output.

The products that tested positive were held at the facility. The affected products listed below were produced on the same day and using the same equipment as the positive-testing products:

• Ranchers Legacy Ground Beef Patties 77/23
• Ranchers Legacy Ground Chuck Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice Ground Beef 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice WD Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy RD Beef Patties 80/20
• OTG Manufacturing Chuck/Brisket RD Patties
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend Oval Beef Patties
• Ranchers Legacy WD Chuck Blend Patties
• Ranchers Legacy USDA Choice NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy NAT Beef Patties 80/20
• Ranchers Legacy Ground Chuck Blend
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend Bulk Pack NAT Patties
• Ranchers Legacy Chuck Blend NAT Beef Patties

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will be checking to make sure the recalled products are removed from sale. Consumers are asked to ensure that ground beef is properly cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and to dispose of the recalled products.

Questions about this recall?
Consumers  who purchased this product can contact Jeremy Turnquist, vice president of operations for Ranchers Legacy Meat Co., at 651-366-6575.

To view a comprehensive list of food and feed recalls affecting Georgia, visit our Food Safety Division recall website. If this recall expands or additional details become available in the future, the website will provide the most up-to-date information.