The Illinois Department of Agriculture says a Chicago company has recalled about 200 pounds of ground beef patties because of possible E. coli contamination.

meat-grinder.jpgThe department said Thursday the patties were produced by the Columbus Meat market Inc. on Dec. 27 and shipped to food-handling customers in the Chicago area. Each package label on the patties carries the mark “EST. 755” and an identifying date of “12/27/10.”

The agriculture department says a sample of the patties tested positive for a strain of E. coli that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and — in the most severe cases — kidney failure.

The company has received no reports of illness linked to the patties