California Company Recalls 1 Million Pounds of Beef

MODESTO, Calif. — Valley Meat Co. here has recalled 1 million pounds of ground beef produced between Oct. 2, 2009, and Jan. 12, 2010, bearing the establishment number EST 8268, according to reports issued Friday.

The meat, which was distributed to supermarkets and foodservice establishments in Oregon, California, Texas and Arizona, may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

California health authorities notified U.S. Department of Agriculture officials last month that a cluster of at least seven people had become ill in the state since February, and that the meat was potentially a common cause.