JBS-Swift recalls beef; e-coli suspected -USDA

CHICAGO, June 25 (Reuters) - JBS-Swift meat company is recalling about 41,280 lbs of beef on the belief it may be contaminated with E.coli 0157:H7, a potentially deadly bacteria, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Thursday.

The beef was produced on April 21 and 22 and shipped to Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered during a government sampling and by an investigation into the distribution of other products, USDA said.

The USDA announcement did not say if there had been any illnesses related to the recalled beef. A request for a response was left with the company.

Consumers with questions related to the recall should call the company's consumer hotline at 800-555-7675.

JBS-Swift is based in Greeley, Colo, and is owned by the Brazilian beef company JBS SA (JBSS3.SA).

(Reporting by Bob Burgdorfer; Editing by David Gregorio)