E. coli hits France

Eight French children have been hospitalized after eating frozen hamburger patties. The children came from different towns in the Nord Pas de Calais region. So far, one child has been discharged, while four were put on hemodialysis to clean their blood. One boy's condition has become life-theatening.

His condition has worsened, Health Minister Xavier Bertrand said on Radio Classique.

The children are between 20 months and 8 years old.

The patties were purchased in France at German-owned grocery chain Lidl, but French authorities say that the bacteria did not come from Germany.

We are now certain that this is not the same strain as the one discovered in Germany, a health official from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region said on i-Tele television.

Officials have recalled the Steak Country brand frozen steaks, which are manufactured in France.

The products were made in France, but depending on the expiry date and our suppliers' opportunities, the beef can come from Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands or even other places, spokesman Jerome Gresland at Lidl told Reuters.

The e. Coli outbreak in German bean sprouts has already killed 39 people and made around 3,000 sick.