An Oklahoma company said it was voluntarily recalling 248,000 lbs (112,000 kg) of beef products in six states following an outbreak of illnesses involving E. coli bacteria.

In a recorded telephone message, National Steak and Poultry of Owasso, Oklahoma, said it was recalling various products in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Michigan, and Washington state.

The company said it was cooperating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service as a precautionary measure because some of its beef products might be linked to a series of E. coli-linked illnesses in the six states.

The company did not confirm any contaminations at its production facilities, but said it will err on the side of being cautious by recalling the products.

This is the first recall in our company's nearly 30-year history, the firm said in its recorded message on a consumer hotline.

On its website (www.nationalsteak.com/), National Steak and Poultry describes itself as beef and poultry marination innovators since 1980, offering fully cooked and fresh frozen beef and poultry.

Michigan