Cargill E. coli Outbreak
On October 6, 2007, Cargill recalled approximately 845,000 pounds of frozen ground beef patties for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination after three people in Minnesota tested positive for E. coli and a joint investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture identified the Cargill hamburger patties as the source of the illnesses. Sam’s Club, a major purchaser of Cargill frozen hamburgers, pulled all Cargill ground beef products from its shelves.
Victims of the E. coli outbreak traced to Cargill hamburgers were identified in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Tennessee.