Federal health officials are reporting a salmonella outbreak linked to ground beef.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 16 people got sick from salmonella in ground beef in five states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (1), Illinois (2), Iowa (1), Michigan (9), and Wisconsin (3).
Half of the people were hospitalized, but there are no reports of deaths.
The CDC named two companies as the likely sources of the contaminated meat. Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that ground beef produced by Jouni Meats, Inc. and Gab Halal Foods are likely sources of this outbreak.
Those companies recalled more than a thousand pounds of ground beef last week.
On Jan. 24, 2013, Jouni Meats, Inc. recalled approximately 500 pounds of ground beef products. On Jan. 25, 2013, Gab Halal Foods recalled approximately 550 pounds of ground beef products.
Seven of the ill persons reported eating a raw ground beef dish at the same restaurant before becoming ill. The restaurant served raw beef to customers and had acquired the raw beef from two retailers.
The CDC recommends people do not eat raw or undercooked ground beef.
CDC also recommends that consumers do not eat recalled ground beef products and that they dispose of any remaining recalled product in their home or return the product to the place of purchase.
The CDC says that this is especially important for children under the age of 5 years, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems because these people are at a higher risk for serious illness.
Consumers should check their freezers for recalled products and not eat them.
