Modesto-based Valley Meat Co. moved to recall about a million pounds of ground beef products Friday possibly contaminated with E. coli after seven people were sickened with the bacteria.

The beef patties and ground beef in question were produced from Oct. 2, 2009, to Jan. 12, 2010, and were sold in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona and internationally.

"Because most of the products are sold frozen, we are working with our retailers to remove the affected products from grocery store shelves and to encourage consumers to dispose of products they may have at home or return to the place of purchase for a full refund," the company said in a statement.