Before you fire up the grill, check your the beef burgers in your freezer to make sure they're not part of the 95,898 pounds of ground beef products recalled today by an Illinois company. Valley Meats is recalling beef patties that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Several brands were involved in the recall, including 3S, Grillmaster, J & B, Klub, Thick 'N Savory and Ultimate. The frozen beef patties bear the establishment number "EST. 5712" inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as an individual case code, which can be found on the recall notice. The products were produced on March 10, 2009, and distributed nationwide.

The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

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.