September 9, 2010 - The Health Unit is advising residents that the Ministry of Health has reported that four cases of E. coli in Ontario have been associated with Leadbetters Cowboy Beef Burgers. No cases have been reported from the Thunder Bay District.  

Although the ministry’s investigation is ongoing, all four individuals reported eating Leadbetters Cowboy Beef Burgers from 4oz/20 pack boxes between August 12 and August 21. The ministry is aware of a Canadian Food Inspection Agency recall of Leadbetters Cowboy Beef Burgers in 2.27 Kg (5 lb) cartons containing 20 X 113.5gr (4oz) burgers bearing the UPC 8 73587 00003 5 and code 20169.  

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Arlene King, is advising people who have purchased this brand of frozen burgers with this lot code to not eat the product and to discard the product as it may contain E. coli. People who may have consumed Leadbetters Cowboy Beef Burgers and have developed symptoms of E. coli infection, should seek medical attention and if they have any product remaining they should contact their local public health unit for further assistance.  

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has been contacting food vendors about this product. The product has not yet been identified in local food stores.  

If people in our District believe they have consumed the product or have identified they have the product, they are urged to call the Environmental Health Program at 625-5935 or 1-888-294-6630, ext. 8800.  

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY   1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

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