Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ALBANY, GA -- Publix and Winn-Dixie are among the major supermarket chains issuing voluntary recalls of ground beef after learning it may be contaminated with E. coli.

More than 60,000 pounds of ground beef was potentially contaminated by E. coli at the National Beef Packing Co., in Dodge City, Kan., a company that distributes ground beef to the stores. The other major chain affected is Kroger Co.

Some local shoppers are worried, and said they will be more cautious when buying beef.

“I’ll be more cautious on buying ground beef if they was saying that there’s a recall in the area where I live,” said Willie Ware of Damascus. “I’ll be more careful about the items I pick on the ground beef.”

“I would think twice, and be careful and like to ask questions about the type of ground beef. Is it one of the ground beef that’s recalled? 

But not everyone is alarmed by the possible contamination.

“It doesn’t bother me at all now that they have taken it off the shelf,” said Jenice Clark. “I do buy ground beef, so it's fine, everything’s fine.”

At Kroger, the recalled products include beef patties, meatballs and meat loaf with “sell by,” dates of July 29 through Aug. 12. Publix products affected include meatballs, burgers, stuffed peppers and Salisbury steak with “sell by,” sates of July 25 through Aug. 12. Winn-Dixie products affected include ground beef and patties with “sell by,” dates of July 31 through Aug. 12.

Publix Super Markets issued a statement, reading in part: “Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for assorted varieties of products that contain ground chuck beef because it may be adulterated with E. coli 0157:H7. This is an expansion of National Beef Packing Company’s voluntary recall of ground beef product produced at its Dodge City, Kansas production facility.”

People who purchased the contaminated beef can return it to the store for a full refund.