At least 10 states have been alerted to the existence of ground beef which might be contaminated and sold in the nation's supermarkets.
According to a report from The Associated Press, published by the CBS, U.S. food health officials reported that the ground beef delivered by a Detroit company last week is being recalled from supermarkets; however, the possibility that the meat has been consumed by humans is not being dismissed.
In total, 1.8 million pounds of ground beef might be contaminated with the powerful bacteria known as E.coli, reported the United States Department of Agriculture, which identified the Detroit Wolverine Packing Company as the producer of the defective meat.
The E.coli 0157:H7 bacteria produces a toxin which causes strong abdominal pains, kidney damage and, in some cases, can cause the death of those who ingest it.
"This particular strain tends to enter the bloodstream and affect other organs such as kidneys and the immunologic system," confirmed Dr. Steve McGraw to the CBS.
Last weekend, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed sevencases of infection due to the E.coli bacteria and three others in which the presence of the bacteria is suspected, reported CNN.
Likewise, the U.S. Department of Agriculture emmitted a list of locals who were probably affected by the contaminated meat: Gordon Food Service Marketplace in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennesee and Wisconsin, Surf N Turf Market in Sebring, Florida, Giorgio's Italian Delicatessen in Stuart, Florida Buchtel Food Mart in Buchtel, Ohio, M Sixty Six General Store in Orleans, Michigan.
People can return the packaged ground beef they might have bought by bringing them in plastic bags and will receive a full refund, authorities and the meat producer reported.