Two retail stores in Macomb County are recalling ground beef that may be contaminated with a strain of salmonella that has sickened nine people in Southeast Michigan and another eight infections nationally.
On Friday, Gab Halal Foods in Troy recalled about 550 pounds of ground beef products and on Thursday, Jouni Meats Inc. in Sterling Heights recalled about 500 pounds of meat as a precaution for Salmonella Typhimurium contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Six of the Michigan cases resulted in hospitalization. Those infected with the bacteria range in age from 2 to 87 years, including five females and four males.
“Based on epidemiologic and traceback investigations, 7 case-patients with the same outbreak strain have been identified in Ariz. and Mich. with illness onset dates ranging from December 9, 2012, to December 13, 2012,” said a release from the USDA. “The 7 case-patients consumed raw beef kibbeh on December 7, 2012, and December 8, 2012.”
Gab Halal Foods is recalling ground beef sold between Dec. 4 and Dec. 10 wrapped in clear plastic without a label.
Jouni Meats has recalled beef sold in various size packages between Dec. 4 and Dec. 9 without a label.
The USDA is warning people to check their freezers for any contaminated meat if they shopped at either store during that time.
Six of the infections have been linked to the consumption of kibbeh, a dish made with raw ground beef, at an unidentified Macomb County restaurant, according to the Michigan Department of Community health. The other cases are not linked to kibbeh and the department is still investigating the source.
Some media outlets reported Saturday the kibbeh was sold at Ike’s Restaurant on Van Dyke in Sterling Heights. Manager Stephanie Casinelli said they have not had any customers call in complaining about illness.
“Back in December, the health department came in and looked at our operations because we serve the raw kibbeh,” she said. “They said everything was sanitary and there was nothing on our behalf that had lead to the outbreak. It’s our understanding that they are tracing it back to the slaughterhouse.”
The menu at Ike’s warns restaurant-goers of the dangers of eating raw or undercooked meats.
“The health department didn’t hold us accountable,” said Casinelli.
Symptoms of salmonella infections include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Other symptoms include chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to a week and cause dehydration, which can lead to organ failure, spokeswoman Angela Minicuci of the Michigan Department of Community Health said Friday.
“For children, or frail or elderly people or particularly people with a weakened immune system, the illness can be very severe and it can lead to different forms of infections that can be fatal,” said Minicuci.
“If someone is ill and they are experiencing these symptoms that last for a number of days, particularly seven days or more, they need to seek medical treatment.”
She says the health department encourages people to cook all raw meats and eggs to their recommended internal temperature.
“Obviously, there are dishes out there that may not follow our recommendations, but that is what we recommend from a food safety standpoint,” Minicuci said.
Customers of the stores with questions can contact the owners. For Jouni Meats, contact Khalil Jouni at Khalil Jouni at (586) 274-0760. For Gab Halal Foods, contact Robert M. Berry at (248) 879-0927.
For more information on the recall, visit www.michigan.gov/foodsafety.