Upscale Portland grocery chain New Seasons Market says ground beef sold as recently as last week may have been contaminated with E. Coli bacteria and must be recalled.
And the Oregon Health Authority has identified a fourth person sickened in the outbreak. The agency said all four have recovered.
New Seasons issued a recall notice last weekend, initially covering beef with “Sell By” dates from Oct. 23 through Oct. 26. On Thursday, New Seasons said tests showed contaminated beef sold Nov. 8 was contaminated.
The supermarket chain says customers should return it for a refund, and said receipts are not required. The health authority said New Seasons has suspended sales of the affected beef during an investigation.
E. Coli can cause diarrhea and bloody stools. In serious cases, victims may develop kidney failure that can permanently damage the organ and sometimes result in death. The young and elderly are especially vulnerable.
