WASHINGTON — Federal health officials say at least 12 people have been hospitalized in connection with a possible E. coli outbreak in beef and that two of them suffered kidney failure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 23 people in nine states may have become ill after eating beef produced by JBS Swift Beef Co. of Greeley.
No illnesses have been reported in Colorado, a spokesman at the state health department said. Swift spokesman Chand ler Keys could not be reached Wednesday but has said the company recalled whole cuts of beef.
The company recalled about 380,000 pounds of beef this week after illnesses were reported and a government probe showed a possible connection to Swift’s product. That move expanded a June 24 recall of just more than 41,000 pounds.
The CDC says health officials in several states found that most ill persons had consumed ground beef, and many reported that it was undercooked. The Associated Press and Denver Post staff writer David Migoya; photo by Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post
