Recalled Topps Meat Found in 7 More New Jersey Stores and Source of Contaminated Meat Identified

State consumer safety officials announced Tuesday that even more Topps Meat, recalled a month ago, has been found in seven northern New Jersey stores.  In the past week, inspectors have seized 138 boxes of frozen hamburgers made by Topps Meat Co. which may be contaminated with E. coli, a potentially fatal bacteria.

Of the seven stores, four in Jersey City were located only after a distributor was subpoenaed by the state Division of Consumer Affairs.  The other three stores were found by inspectors while visiting nearly 200 Hudson County stores.  State authorities have yet to determine whether the meat was delivered to the stores before or after the recall date.   Selling or distributing recalled meat may violate the state’s Consumer Fraud Act.  Thus far no charges have been brought, but the investigation isn’t over.

The U.S. Agriculture Department has identified a now-defunct Canadian beef firm as a likely source of bacteria-contaminated meat used by Topps used to make the frozen hamburgers.  The USDA reports that meat still stored at Rancher’s Beef Ltd. of Balzac, Alberta matches the DNA fingerprint of E. coli bacteria taken from many of the 40 people in 8 states sickened by the Topps product.

Stores and consumers are still being urged to check their freezers for any remaining packages containing the establishment number EST 9748 on the package’s back panel.  The product can be returned to place of purchase for a refund.