State expands list of schools that received suspect beef

Officials have expanded their warning about beef from a suspect California supplier. More than 700 schools and districts in Minnesota may have received the meat as part of the USDA's National School Lunch Program.

A caution from the state Department of Education went to virtually all public and parochial schools, as well as residential treatment centers and the state correctional facility in Red Wing.

Deputy Education Commissioner Chas Anderson said in a memo to school officials Monday night that the list may continue to grow.

The meat came from a supplier alleged to have processed sick and injured cows. So-called "downed" animals are believed to be at increased risk for E. coli, salmonella and mad cow disease.

No illnesses have been traced to the meat in Minnesota.

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