Eight confirmed cases have been reported in Oregon and Washington and one suspected case is being investigated in Alaska, according to the state Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health and Social Services.

The health advisory, prompted by an alert from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, covers 16-ounce packages of "Northwest Finest 7% fat Natural Ground Beef" and 16-ounce packages of "Northwest Finest 10% fat Organic Ground Beef."

The grocery chain Fred Meyer confirmed its Alaska stores carried the organic ground beef.

The contaminated meats had a sell-by date of between Aug. 1 and Aug. 11 and should no longer be in stores.

"But people need to check their freezers, and if they have it they should bring it back to us for a refund," said Melinda Merrill, a spokeswoman for Fred Meyer in Portland, Ore.

Source: Alaska Journal of Commerce