WASHINGTON – Gold Medal Packing Inc. of Rome, New York, launched a recall of approximately 4,607 lbs. of boneless veal products that may be contaminated with E. coli O26 and O45, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the US Dept. of Agriculture reported.

The boneless veal and top bottom sirloin (TBS) cuts were produced and packaged on various dates between Aug. 16 and Oct. 25. The affected products include:

  • 60-lb. boxes containing “BONELESS VEAL”.
  • 2,387-lb. bin containing “TBS”.
  • 10-lb. boxes containing “HEARTLAND VEAL BONELESS LEG CUTLET”.
  • 10-lb. boxes containing “VEAL BONELESS LEG CUTLET”.
  • 10-lb. boxes containing “VEAL BONELESS LEG TOP ROUND CUTLET”.

The products subject to the recall bear establishment number “EST. 17965” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were shipped to distributor locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered during routine sample testing, according to FSIS. Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, such as STEC O26 or O45, because they are harder to identify than STEC O157.

There have been no confirmed illnesses or adverse reactions due to consumption of the affected products. However, people can become ill from STECs within two to eight days after consuming the pathogen, FSIS noted. Symptoms of infection can include diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.