Topps Meat Co. is still examining to find out the real cause for the E. coli infectivity related to eight cases in New York.

Topps representative, Michele Williams said that the Elizabeth, N.J., company on Saturday called back 80 ground beef products, comprising frozen patties, which could fill up 542 tractor-trailers as a safety measure to customers.

The company had called back over 300,000 pounds of beef products earlier last week.

Amanda Eamich, a spokeswoman for federal agency stated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has brought out a suspension of raw meat processes Sept. 26, and Topps won’t recommence production till the time it passes on a corrective-action plan.

USDA functionaries have discovered that Topps comprised meat from one day’s operations and then blend it with the next day's lot, a practice the USDA doesn’t forbid. But, companies should be careful.

“It must be handled in a manner to prevent growth of pathogens,” said Eamich.

The research is in progress.

Dr. Mike Lynch of the CDC said as of yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 27 E. coli cases in eight states were linked by the same strain.

The state Health Department has reported eight E. coli cases in Albany, Monroe, Washington, Essex, Rensselaer and Herkimer counties. Six of the eight cases are related to the outburst strain.

No cases have risen on Long Island. Yesterday, local Waldbaum’s, King Kullen, Stop & Shop and Pathmark stores had already removed the recalled meat. Pathmark's five- and 10-pound store brand hamburgers have Topps's meat. Those products are included in the recall, and customers can return them for a refund.

Affected meat comprises any Topps produce with a "sell by date" or "best if used by date" that falls between Sept. 25, 2007, and Sept. 25, 2008. Functionaries advise users to return those products directly.

The eight New Yorkers with E. coli are recovering, while Claudia Hutton, a representative for the state’s Health Department, said three people were admitted into the hospital.