XL Foods products possibly contaminated with the bacteria were distributed to several states in the U.S. including California, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
The recall originated in Canada, but has been expanded to include the U.S. after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found that beef associated with the initial recall was exported after being processed into ground beef, ground beef patties, beef jerky and pastrami.
Canadian authorities found that the products involved in the original recall were processed under unsanitary conditions.
E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and even kidney failure in the most severe cases. Seniors, very young children and those with weak immune systems are the most susceptible.
