National Beef Packing Company, a Liberal, Kansas., firm, is recalling approximately 50,100 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Wednesday.

There are no reports of any illnesses. E. Coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

The following products are subject to recall:

•10 lb. chub of “National Beef” 93/ 7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 0707
•10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 80/20 Fine Ground Chuck, Product Code 7031
•10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 85/15 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7054
•10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 90/10 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7344
•10 lb. chub of “NatureSource” 93/ 7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7004
•10 lb. chub of “NatureWell 80/20 Fine Ground Chuck, Product Code 7484
•10 lb. chub of “NatureWell” 85/15 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7454
•10 lb. chub of “NatureWell” 90/10 Fine Ground Sirloin, Product Code 7577
•10 lb. chub of “NatureWell” 93/7 Fine Ground Beef, Product Code 7404

All these products bear the establishment number “EST. 208A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on July 18, 2013 and were shipped in 40 to 60 pound cases to retailers, wholesalers, and food service distributors nationwide.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E.coli O157:H7. An investigation determined National Beef Packing Co. was the sole supplier of the source materials used to produce the positive product. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and to ensure that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. “Ask Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

(AP) A Kansas congressman’s legislation seeking a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage has picked up more support, but not from his Kansas colleagues.

Republican Rep. Tim Huelskamp’s bill has picked up at least 47 co-sponsors in the U.S. House since its introduction a month ago. That includes 20 supporters added in July.

Absent from the list of co-sponsors are Kansas’ other three House members, all Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo says he strongly believes in defending traditional marriage and is looking at the amendment carefully. Reps. Kevin Yoder and Lynn Jenkins declined comment.

Huelskamp’s legislation is currently in a subcommittee. He introduced it after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act in June.

(AP) — Officials in a central Kansas community now estimate the damage from this week’s flash floods at $3.8 million.

Lindsborg officials issued the new estimate Wednesday following additional inspections of homes that were inundated Monday when up to 5 inches of rain fell in roughly an hour. The initial estimate was $2.5 million.

The city will hold a public information meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Smoky Valley Middle School. The meeting will focus on assistance, cleanup, sanitation and health issues.

Lindsborg teenagers are pitching in to help.

Smoky Valley High School football coach Chris Hattabaugh brought 30 of his players plus 15 girls Wednesday to the home of Herbert Johnson, whose basement was filled with water. Johnson says he’s grateful for the assistance in cleaning up.

 

A Kansas state senator is demanding that Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer take his name off the website of Mayors Against Illegal Guns group. Sen. Michael O’Donnell

used a Facebook post to question the city’s membership in the coalition.  O’Donnell’s posting urges people to ask city leaders to drop out of what he calls a “gun control group.”

Brewer says he vaguely remembers the group’s formation in 2006, but doesn’t remember Wichita signing on. He says while he doesn’t want guns in public places, he respects gun rights.

The group’s mission statement says members are determined to fight crime, and believe more can be done to stop criminals from getting guns, while also protecting the rights of citizens own them.

Kansas Securities Commissioner Josh Ney has issued an Emergency Order of Suspension and a Cease and Desist Order against Gartner Financial Group, LLC and its principal, Scott Alan Gartner. The investment advisor formerly operated out of Overland Park and is now located in Topeka, KS.

Emergency Order of Suspension and NOI- Gartner 7-30-13

The Emergency Order of Suspension alleges that Gartner and his company willfully failed to comply with multiple requests for information by the Kansas Securities Commissioner in connection with an ongoing investigation and audit. The order states that Gartner impeded an audit or inspection by supplying false information to the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner. Gartner informed staff for the Securities Commissioner that he invested $10,000 of his own money in a 1913 gold-backed Chinese bond but did not invest anyone else’s money in the bond. However, the Securities Commissioner’s staff later discovered that Gartner acquired $10,000 from a Jefferson County, Kansas citizen and used the funds to purchase interests in the bond. Additionally, the Emergency Order of Suspension provides notice that the Kansas Securities Commissioner intends to revoke the registration of Gartner and his company as well as impose fines of no more than $25,000.

Cease and Desist Order- Gartner- 7-30-13

The Cease and Desist Order alleges that Gartner and Gartner Financial Group, LLC committed securities fraud by making untrue statements and omitting material facts regarding the 1913 Chinese bond that Gartner purchased on behalf of the Jefferson County, Kansas citizen, as outlined in the Emergency Order of Suspension. According to the Cease and Desist Order, Gartner told the Kansas citizen that he had an investment that would double his money in 90 days. However, Gartner failed to disclose that the investment was a 1913 gold-backed Chinese bond that had little to no chance of doubling in value in 90 days. Gartner also failed to disclose any of the risks associated with investing in the bond. The order instructs Gartner and Gartner Financial Group, LLC to cease and desist from selling interests in the 1913 gold-backed Chinese bonds. If they wish to challenge the allegations contained in the Emergency Order of Suspension and Cease and Desist Order, Gartner and Gartner Financial have the opportunity to request a hearing within thirty days after service of the Orders.

The Kansas Securities Commissioner urges any individuals that have been approached by someone selling investment opportunities that sound questionable to contact the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner at 785-296-3307 or go to www.ksc.ks.gov.