SMITHFIELD, VIRGINIA - A Pennsylvania beef-packing company owned by Smithfield Foods recalled 203,600 pounds of ground beef after some of its meat tested positive for E. coli bacteria. <br>
<br>
Moyer Packing, based in Souderton, Pa., was told by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sept. 10 that a sample was contaminated. Late last week, Moyer determined that the beef was produced Aug. 31 and recalled beef made on that day. <br>
<br>
The tainted ground beef was shipped to customers in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. <br>
<br>
David Bartlett, a Smithfield Foods spokesman, said customers who think they bought the recalled beef should check with the store they purchased it from. He said there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the ground beef. <br>
<br>
E. coli can cause vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. It also can lead to kidney failure and death, particularly among the elderly and children.
