Colorado firm recalls bison meat over E. coli scare

A Colorado company has issued a recall of ground bison meat and tenderized bison steaks possibly contaminated with a bacteria that causes food poisoning, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Saturday.

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats' recall covers 66,000 pounds (30,000 kg) of six different ground meat and steak products produced in May with "sell or freeze by" dates in June, the USDA said in a release.

The company's ground bison meat has been linked to five cases of E.coli 0157:H7 illnesses in Colorado last month, the USDA said. Another possible case has been identified in New York.

"There is concern that some product may still be frozen and in consumers' freezers," the USDA said.

The products were sold in retail stores across the United States and food service distributors in Utah and Arizona. One of the steak products went to restaurants, the USDA said.

The products were carried in Hannaford, King Soopers, Market Basket, Price Chopper and Whole Foods stores, the USDA said.

The USDA said it was continuing to work with public health departments in Colorado and New York as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rocky Mountain Natural Meats in the investigation.

Symptoms of E.coli 0157:H7 include bloody diarrhea, dehydration and severe cramping. In severe cases, the infection can cause kidney failure.

For a complete list of the products subject to the recall and their labels, click on: http://link.reuters.com/suh65m

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WASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters)