A Maine company today announced that it is recalling more than 2,000 pounds of ground and tenderized beef products that may have been contaminated with E. coli.

Town and Country Foods of Greene was identified as the Maine firm in a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Bill Bagley, a spokesman for the FSIS, said the meat products were shipped between April 4 and April 10 to wholesale and retail establishments in Maine. Bagley said the list of the affected businesses is not available yet.

The potential contamination problem was detected through the company’s lab testing program.
There have been no reports of illnesses.

E. coli 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.

Consumers with food safety questions are encouraged to contact the FSIS’ virtual representative. Ask Karen is available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov.