Topps Meat Co. has expanded a recall of ground beef from about 300,000 pounds to 21.7 million pounds, one of the largest meat recalls in U.S. history.

The recalled products are all ground beef patties with various brand names. They may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and cramps, as well as other complications.

Check your freezers, folk, for those hamburgers at a really great price.

The ground beef products being recalled have a “sell by date” or a “best if used by date” between September 25, 2007, and September 25, 2008, Topps’ statement said. The packages also have the marking “Est. 9748″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

I like that part about the USDA mark of inspection. Gives me a feeling of confidence in our government.