Topps Meat pulls frozen ground beef

Topps Meat Co. recalled 331,582 pounds of frozen ground-beef products that may be contaminated with potentially deadly E. coli bacteria. At least 21 people in eight states may have been sickened by the meat.

Six people in New York became ill after eating the beef, and three of them were hospitalized, said a spokeswoman for the state’s agriculture department. Illnesses were also reported in Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Maine, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokeswoman said.

Topps, based in Elizabeth, N.J., produced the ground-beef patties from June 22 to July 23. The recalled products were sold under brands including Butcher’s Best, Kohler Foods, Sand Castle and Topps.

Recreational Equipment Inc. recalled about 5,200 children’s trailer bikes, which can detach from an adult bicycle and injure the rider. The Novara Afterburner Trailer Bicycles were sold in REI stores from February to June 2007.

REI said it had received one report of a children’s trailer bicycle detaching from an adult bicycle. No injuries have been reported. Consumers should stop using the trailer and contact REI for a free replacement part, a full refund or credit. For more information, call REI at (800) 426-4840 or go to www.rei.com.