WLWT reports that 2 E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in the Cincinnati area has led J.B. Meats to recall approximately 72,800 pounds of ground beef sold to local restaurants.

The products subject to recall are 5 and 10 pound clear packages of ground beef and ground beef patties in various size packages that were processed on and can be identified by the dates Aug. 18, 2010 through Aug. 18, 2011. The product was sold to restaurants in the Cincinnati area, but the company did not say which restaurants.

Each clear plastic bag and label bear the establishment number “EST. 1188” within the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection.

The company said it was notified on Aug. 12 of an investigation of two E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. The Cincinnati Health Department reported there were two patients who became ill on July 20 and 21 that may have resulted from ground beef consumed on July 16 and 17, the company said.

As a result of the ensuing investigation, it was determined there is a possible link between the ground beef products produced by J.B. Meats on July 15 and the illnesses in Ohio.

The company said the recall is precautionary, as there has been no conclusive link between the illnesses and the ground beef produced at the facility. As an additional precaution, the company said it is recalling all ground beef production from the date of this announcement for the previous year.