AP reported that the company that distributed hamburger patties believed to have sickened at least three children with E. coli bacteria is blaming the contamination on the slaughterhouse that processed the meat.

Steve Wood, vice president for Merced-based Richwood Meat Co. Inc., said he does not know which slaughterhouse provided the meat.  Richwood receives raw, boneless meat from suppliers and turns it into hamburger patties and other products. 

The recalled products are hamburger patties and ground beef sold under the brands Fireriver, Chef’s Pride, Ritz Food, Blackwood Farms, California Pacific Associates, C&C Distributing, Golbon and Richwood.