Consumer Alert: Ground Bison Could Make You Sick

An E.coli outbreak has sent more than twenty people to the hospital in seven states. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the sickness is linked to ground bison. State officials have reported sick people from Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The ground bison and bison patties were supplied by Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. in Saint-Leonard, Quebec, Canada.

E.coli may cause diarrhea illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious damage and even death.

More info here.

It is advised distributors, retailers and restaurants not use or serve recalled ground bison. Consumers should check their freezers to see if they have any of the recalled ground bison.