State Health Laboratory tests have identified four E. coli 0157:H7 cases in Arizona that may be linked to the recalled ground beef from a California plant.

Health officials said the E. coli  DNA fingerprint in the four Arizona cases matches the illnesses and ground beef, but further confirmation is necessary to determine whether the ground beef is responsible.

Of the four cases, two are in Maricopa County, and one each in Yavapai and Navajo counties. Two of the Arizona cases were hospitalized but recovered. Health officials continue to investigate the other cases.

The Arizona Department of Health Services is urging residents who purchased ground beef to check the product for specific code information and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. The ground beef has been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli  O157:H7.
United Food Group, LLC, a Vernon, Calif., establishment, announced Monday it is voluntarily recalling approximately 75,000 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The ground beef products were produced on April 20 and were shipped to retail distribution centers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Utah.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

The labels of the products subject to recall bear the establishment number "EST. 1241" inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed on the package. All of the products bear a sell by date of "May/06/07," a freeze by date of "May/07/07" or a produced on date of "April/20/07." Products subject to recall include:

• 10-pound casings of "MORAN'S All Natural, 73/27 fine ground beef."
• 10-pound casings of "MORAN'S All Natural, 90/10 fine ground sirloin."
• 2-pound chubs of "INTER-AMERICAN PRODUCTS 93/7 ground beef."
• 1-pound chubs of "INTER-AMERICAN PRODUCTS 80/20 ground beef."
• 1-pound chubs of "MORAN'S All Natural 73/27 ground beef."
• 5-pound chubs of "MORAN'S All Natural 73/27 ground beef."
• 5-pound chubs of "MORAN'S All Natural 73/27 ground beef."
• 1-pound chubs of "MORAN'S All Natural, 90/10 fine ground sirloin."
• 2-pound chubs of "MORAN'S All Natural 93/7 ground beef."
• 2-pound chubs of "MORAN'S All Natural 96/4 ground beef."
• 3-pound chubs of "STATER BROS. MARKETS 73/27 ground beef."

Don Herrington, head of Epidemiology and Disease Control for the Department of Health, said, “Consumers who purchased the ground beef with the specified recalled codes may return the product to the store.”

Herrington explained that E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and people with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

To avoid problems, cook ground beef to 160° F to kill E. coli and most other bacteria.  Test the meat by putting a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. Do not eat ground beef that is still pink in the middle.