Outbreak investigation of E. coli linked to ground bison from Northfork Bison Distributions

A multi-state outbreak of E. coli O121 and E. coli O103 illnesses has been linked to a Canadian supply of ground bison. 

The analysis is being carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local partners in the US and with the support of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The FDA and CDC analysed traceback and epidemiological information to determine that ground bison supplied by Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. is the likely cause of the illnesses.

FDA regulates bison meat because the authority is not 

assigned specifically to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).

Recommendation

Distributors, retailers and restaurants should not distribute, use or serve ground bison (including bison burgers) recalled by Northfork Bison Distributions Inc, according to the FDA and CDC.

As of July 16, 2019, Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. is voluntarily recalling its ground bison, referred to as ‘Bison Ground’, and its ground bison patties, referred to as ‘Bison Burgers’ and/or ‘Buffalo Burgers’, produced between February 22, 2019, and April 30, 2019. 

Consumers are being told not to eat products prepared using recalled ground bison (including bison burgers) sold under the Northfork Bison label. This includes Bison Burgers sold to retailers in 4 x 4-ounce packages with expiration dates through October 8, 2020.

Northfork Bison Distributions Inc. has been quick to initiate a voluntary recall and has been forthcoming with information to aid in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and the FDA and CDC have said updates will be provided when available.