Three major grocery store chains in the Southeastern United States are recalling more than 60,000 pounds of beef after the Ohio Department of Agriculture found E. coli bacteria in the meat during routine testing. E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that causes bloody diarrhea, dehydration and other problems. Young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems are most susceptible to infection. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Publix Super Markets Inc., and Kroger Co., announced the recalls, saying that the problems trace back to the National Beef Packing Co. in Dodge City, Kansas. The recalls affect products sold primarily in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee. However, the meat was sent to several distributors and could have been repackaged for consumers and sold in other locations throughout the country. The meat was also distributed to packing companies in Detroit and Indianapolis and to Wal-Mart stores in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.

The recalled products include beef patties, meatballs, meat loaf and stuffed peppers. They are listed by grocery store:

Kroger
Publix
Winn Dixie

Customers are asked to check their freezers to see if they have any of the recalled meat products. If so, customers should return the beef to the store where it was purchased for a full refund or replacement.

Source: USDA