Hawaii firm recalls beef due to E. coli: USDA

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department said late on Thursday that Hawaii-based Palama Holdings is voluntarily recalling about 68,670 lbs of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli

O157:H7.

USDA said the ground beef products were produced between April 9, 2008, and April 21, 2008. The beef was distributed to retail, food service establishments and commissaries in Hawaii. No illnesses have been reported.

E. coli O157:H7 can cause diarrhea and dehydration. Children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are the most susceptible.

The following products are subject to the recall:

- 6- and 10-pound boxes containing 1/4-pound and 1/3-pound "May's Teriyaki Beef Patties." The boxes include a product code of "157400," "157600," or "157700," as well as a production date of "4/9/2008," "4/10/2008," "4/11/2008," "4/15/2008," "4/16/2008," "4/17/2008," "4/18/2008," or "4/21/2008." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 24-pound bulk boxes of "May's Beef Picnic Patties." The boxes will include product code "158700" as well as a production date of "4/11/2008" or "4/18/2008." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 10-pound boxes of "May's Beef Pattie, 3:1 Layer Pack." These boxes include the product code "158325" as well as a production date of "4/10/2008," or ""4/17/2008." Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 3-pound trays of "May's GROUND BEEF Family Pack." The packages include the product code "410751," as well as the production date "4/16/2008." The packages also bear the establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

- 5- and 10-pound chubs of May's brand coarse ground and fine ground beef products. These products bear a product code of "141115," "141120," "143915", "141420," "144150," "144155,"

"144200," "144205," "144209," "145410," "145420," "151115," "151415," "151430", or "153220." The products will also bear a production date of "4/9/2008," "4/15/2008," "4/16/2008," "4/17/2008," "4/18/2008," or "4/21/2008."

The bulk pack chubs of ground beef products may have been distributed for further processing and therefore may not bear the recalling firm's establishment number "EST. 11077" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

(Reporting by Christopher Doering)