Salmonella presence detected in Safeway beef

United States Agriculture Department (USDA) has issued a warning that the fresh ground beef may contain salmonella. The beef was sold in five states, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.

Salmonella mainly causes of food borne illness like diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps within 72 hours of consumption. It mainly comes from poultry and raw eggs and more generally from food that has been cooked or frozen and not eaten straight away. It can be treated using antibiotics but the long-term usage of antibiotics in both the poultry and beef industries can create strains of salmonella which are potentially resistant to antibiotics.

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said the products which were sold between September 19 and November 5, 2007 might contain salmonella in them.

Epidemiological tests and a study were conducted by the California Department of Public Health, Arizona Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The health agencies determined there was a connection between the ground beef products and 38 illnesses reported in the five states.

"This alert is being issued after an exhaustive and continuing investigation whereby FSIS could not identify specific establishments, lots and products that would be subject to a recall," the agency said.

However the company has denied the fact that Salmonella has been found in the Safeway’s products. The company in its statement said that till now no particular product, retailer or establishment has been linked to any infection case. The notice also does not include fresh ground beef patties, the company has clarified.

At the same time, company said that as a matter of precaution people who bought the products in these particular states between Sept. 19 and Nov. 5 and stored them, should dump those products.

No illness has been reported in Hawaii or New Mexico. In Nevada, 3 cases of infection of a senior citizen, an infant and a young person in each of three counties of Clark, Washoe and Douglas have been registered.

Dr. Ihsan Azzam, the Nevada state epidemiologist said the patients were fine and the outbreak is just a small one, so there is no need to worry.

"Our findings do not show 100 percent positively that it is Safeway ground beef," he told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "Our findings are suggesting a product from Safeway is a cause."