SAN FRANCISCO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A company in the U.S. state of Oregon is recalling nearly 40,000 pounds of ground beef products over fears they are contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly bacterium, The Oregonian newspaper reported on Wednesday.

    SP Provisions, a family-owned company in Portland, said the 39,973 pounds of beef products subject to recall were sold under the Cascade Natural Beef and SP Provisions brands before May 29.

    The suspect beef products were produced on various dates between April 8 and May 28, and were distributed to retail stores as well as hotels, restaurants and institutions in Oregon and Washington states.

    In a recall notice released Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the possible contamination was discovered through microbiological sampling by its Food Safety and Inspection Service.

    No reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the suspect products have been received so far, USDA said, adding that "individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician."