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4 metro kids sickened by e. coli
The Minnesota Department of Health says four children became ill from E. coli bacteria last month after eating ground beef patties purchased at three Sam's Club stores in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
The Health Department said the children, who all live in the metro area, became ill between September 10th and September 20th after eating ground beef patties that were purchased frozen under the name "American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties" from Sam's Club stores in Eagan, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake.
"To the best of our knowledge, it's just Sam's Club right now. But of course, it's being investigated much further, and we may come out with additional information," said Dr. Kirk Smith, of the Minnesota Department of Health.
Sam's Club says the patties were produced by Cargill beginning August 26th and had an expiration date of February 12th, 2008.
A Cargill spokesman contacted by The Associated Press said the company would have no comment until Monday.
Health officials say one of the four infected children remains hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication of e coli infection that can lead to kidney failure.
Sam's Club says it voluntarily removed the product from its stores nationwide after the illnesses were reported.
Customers are asked to return any remaining patties purchased after August 26th to the store or destroy them.
"These ground beef patties are in people's freezers, in their homes. So we want to get the word out that they definitely don't eat them," said Smith. "Throw them away. Or take back to Sam's Club. But by all means, don't use them."
The Minnesota Department of Health says four children became ill from E. coli bacteria last month after eating ground beef patties purchased at three Sam's Club stores in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
The Health Department said the children, who all live in the metro area, became ill between September 10th and September 20th after eating ground beef patties that were purchased frozen under the name "American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties" from Sam's Club stores in Eagan, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake.
"To the best of our knowledge, it's just Sam's Club right now. But of course, it's being investigated much further, and we may come out with additional information," said Dr. Kirk Smith, of the Minnesota Department of Health.
Sam's Club says the patties were produced by Cargill beginning August 26th and had an expiration date of February 12th, 2008.
A Cargill spokesman contacted by The Associated Press said the company would have no comment until Monday.
Health officials say one of the four infected children remains hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication of e coli infection that can lead to kidney failure.
Sam's Club says it voluntarily removed the product from its stores nationwide after the illnesses were reported.
Customers are asked to return any remaining patties purchased after August 26th to the store or destroy them.
"These ground beef patties are in people's freezers, in their homes. So we want to get the word out that they definitely don't eat them," said Smith. "Throw them away. Or take back to Sam's Club. But by all means, don't use them."