The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled ground beef sold at small grocers in Winnipeg, because it might be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

The recall affected range-fed lean ground beef that was sold at the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op that was included in a health hazard alert released late Wednesday. The agency said the retailers were voluntarily removing the remaining ground beef from their shelves.

According to the CFIA, a routine testing of the ground beef revealed the possibility of E. coli contamination and they added that they had not received reports of anyone getting sick after eating the beef.

Co-op general manager Ben Walker told CBC News on Thursday, "They found some E. coli in the chuck portion of the free-range beef. They've recalled it. We removed every piece." The federal agency’s recall affects range-fed lean ground beef products bought at the Co-op between Feb. 8 and March 10.

Walker said the store has sold about 18 kilograms of the ground beef in question and he added, "So if you're out there, and it says 'Free range beef' on your package, you can bring it back, and you'll get a free refund of all your product."

Davendra Sharma, food safety and recall specialist with the CFIA said, "Consumers shouldn't eat these products, and they should check their freezers to see if they bought those products during those dates." He said consumers should talk to the retailers about refunds or exchanges.

According to the CFIA alert food that is contaminated with the strain of E. coli (O157:H7) may not appear to be spoiled but it could cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea and some people may also experience seizures or strokes.

The CFIA's health hazard listed 21 stores across western Canada, Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia. The Shop Rite Fine Foods in Ignace, Ont., 13 British Columbia Thrifty Food stores, and the Direct Charge Co-Op in Yellowknife.