California meat company recalls hamburger patties

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - California meat company Sterling Pacific Meat Co has recalled about 3,500 pounds of hamburger patties that may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7, the U.S. Agriculture Department said.

The patties were made on May 18 and distributed to wholesale food service companies, who sold the meat to restaurants in California and Arizona, according to USDA.

The problem was discovered by the agency during a review of the meat plant's records, and USDA said it has not received any reports that the hamburger made people ill.

Complete information about the recall is at: www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_042_2009_Release/index.asp