The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the recall of thousands of pounds of boneless beef chuck due to possible E. coli contamination. Elkhorn Valley Packing boneless beef chuck weighing about 3,436 pounds and packed on Feb. 16 has been recalled. The products were shipped to nine states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, and were sent to distributors, retailers, wholesalers, hotels, restaurants, and other institutions. The recall followed routine FSIS testing of ground beef that revealed potential contamination by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. There have been no confirmed reports of illness or other adverse reactions. STEC O103 causes diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, but those who fall ill usually recover within a week. Raw meat should be safely prepared, and ground beef should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The USDA’s website contains more information on the recall and a complete list of affected products.