Steak haché E. coli contamination warning in southwest

The food packaging company Vignasse et Donney has advised customers to return steaks hachés bought between June 27 and July 5 with batch numbers 17178 and 17179.

The contamination concerns five southwest departments - les Pyrénées-Atlantiques, les Landes, le Gers, le Lot-et-Garonne and les Hautes-Pyrénées.

Boucheries in these areas have also been asked to be vigilant and withhold their produce.

The O157:H7 E. coli strain was found to be present after testing the meat. Symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pains. The infection can be deadly for children under five.

Auchan had to withdraw numerous steaks hachés from its shelves last October following a similar E. coli contamination.

Vignasse et Donney have provided a phone number for consumer enquiries: 05.59.13.06.54. They said in a statement, “if the meat has lost its pinkish sheen then it could be a warning sign that is is contaminated.”