Connected to deadly E. coli outbreak, Lower Valley Processing recalls products

A Kalispell meat processing company is recalling some products after being linked to a deadly E. coli outbreak in the Flathead Valley, said officials with the state Department of Livestock on Tuesday.   

Lower Valley Processing is voluntarily recalling all non-intact, raw products — like ground beef — produced from animals slaughtered on June 5. That meat may contain E. coli, state officials said.  

Meat from the processing facility was sent to local restaurants, where several people became sick from E. coli. The recent outbreak has led to one death and caused 13 others to become ill, according to the Flathead City-County Health Department.   

The potentially affected Lower Valley Processing products were labeled with “Lower Valley Processing, Co.,” establishment number “EST. 007” inside the Montana mark of inspection on the product labels, and lot numbers 1398, 1399 and 1400. 

The source of the E. coli contamination has not been identified, officials said.  

All potentially affected products have been removed from the marketplace by public health officials, the Department of Livestock and Lower Valley Processing. Some products may have been sold direct to consumers prior to discovery of potential contamination, according to authorities.  

Lower Valley Processing has contacted all known recipients of direct-to-consumer sales. Officials warned any customers who may have these products in freezers or refrigerators against consuming them. Those products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase and refrigerators thoroughly cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.  

The problem was discovered when Flathead City-County Health Department was alerted to illnesses associated with E. coli. A traceback investigation conducted in collaboration with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services determined that affected individuals consumed potentially undercooked Wagyu burgers at various restaurants. Sampling of product labeled as lot 1400 confirmed the presence of E. coli. 

Lower Valley Processing Owner Jeremy Plummer echoed what state officials said in their release. He said they’ve been cooperating with authorities as they investigate the source of the contamination, which remains undetermined.  

“Lower Valley Processing has initiated and completed a voluntary recall procedure. The reason we did that is because we hold the records of everything distributed under the potential contamination lot. So, any suspect products have already been collected and are in our custody and control. And nothing with contamination possibilities is available for commerce at this time, nor will it ever be,” Plummer said.  

Officials encouraged anyone concerned about illness to contact a health care provider. E. coli is a naturally occurring bacteria in the digestive tracts of animals commonly consumed by people. It can be introduced into food products through cross-contamination and/or failure to meet sanitary requirements, according to state officials.  

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Lower Valley Processing at 406-752-2846.