meat , according to the USDA . `` Because the health and safety of our consumers is our top priority , we are taking these expansive measures , '' said Vice President of Operations Geoffrey Livermore in the statement . `` Topps is continuing to work with the USDA , state departments of health , retailers and distributors to ensure the safety of our consumers . Additionally , we have augmented our internal quality control procedures with microbiologists and food safety experts . We sincerely regret any inconvenience and concerns this may cause our consumers , '' Livermore said . This is the company 's first recall in its 65 years of business , the statement said . Consumers who find the products at home are asked to cut off the UPC code and return it to Topps for a full refund , then dispose of the product immediately , Topps spokeswoman Michelle Williams said . The company said to avoid E. coli , consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling the beef . Topps set up a toll-free recall help line at -LRB-888-RRB- 734-0451 . Williams said because the products may have been produced up to a year ago
NEW YORK -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Topps Meat Co. on Saturday expanded a recall of ground beef from about 300,000 pounds to 21.7 million pounds , one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. history . The recalled products are all ground beef patties with various brand names . In a statement , the Elizabeth , New Jersey , company said the hamburger patties may be contaminated with E. coli O157 : H7 , a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and cramps , as well as other complications . A statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 25 illnesses are under investigation in Connecticut , Florida , Indiana , Maine , New Jersey , New York , Ohio and Pennsylvania . The ground beef products being recalled have a `` sell by date '' or a `` best if used by date '' between September 25 , 2007 , and September 25 , 2008 , Topps ' statement said . Watch the latest on the beef recall '' The packages also have the marking `` Est. 9748 '' inside the USDA mark of inspection . Tuesday , the company announced a recall of about 331,000 pounds of hamburger