Background: Two multi-jurisdictional community level outbreaks of E. coli O157 were investigated between 2012 and 2013, which identified store-bought frozen beef hamburgers as the source of infection. Objective: This paper describes the investigation to identify and confirm the source of these two outbreaks and the subsequent food safety education campaign. Methods: The source was identified though comprehensive local interviews of confirmed outbreak cases and innovative techniques to obtain purchase records. In addition, a large food safety investigation and product testing were completed to identify contaminated lots. Results: A total of 19 cases were identified that were associated with these two outbreaks. The outbreak strains of E. coli O157 were isolated from the implicated products resulting in product recalls. Conclusion: These outbreaks demonstrate that there continues to be a risk of E. coli O157 transmission associated with frozen beef hamburgers. As a result of these outbreaks efforts were made to provide the public with additional food safety education pertaining to safe food handling and preparation of frozen beef hamburgers.
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