In connection with the widening recall of product from Nebraska Beef, Ltd., Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets said they had taken private label Nature's Promise 90 percent lean fresh ground beef patties from the meat case, due to potential E. coli contamination.

The affected one-third-pound patties came in packages of four with a sell-by date of July 11, 2008 and bear the UPC code number 20160800000, the Ahold USA-owned chains said. The item had a limited distribution and was only available for purchase on July 1.

The original recall of Omaha-based Nebraska Beef’s products was issued June 30. The recall was expanded “based on the ongoing epidemiological and traceback investigations of a foodborne illness outbreak,” according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Before the Ahold connection came to light, the recall had already affected Kroger stores in Michigan and central and northwestern Ohio.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets, both Ahold USA banners, post news of Class I (the most serious) and Class II (a remote probability of illness if the food is eaten) recalls affecting their stores at www.giantfoodstores.com and www.martinsfoods.com.

Meanwhile, Kroger was busy trying to reassure customers as the July 4th peak burger consumption window approached last week, that none of the ground beef involved in the Nebraska Beef recall was available in any of Kroger's stores.

The grocer said on July 3rd it was telling customers that all ground beef in its stores was from suppliers other than Nebraska Beef Ltd.