Federal health officials say at least 12 people have been hospitalized in connection with a possible E.coli outbreak in beef and two of them suffered kidney failure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 23 people in nine states may have become ill after eating beef produced by JBS Swift Beef Co. of Greeley, Colorado.

The company recalled about 380,000 pounds of beef this week after some illnesses were reported and a government investigation showed a possible connection to the company's product. That recall expanded a June 24 recall of just over 41,000 pounds.

The CDC says health officials in several states investigating the strain of E. coli found that most ill persons had consumed ground beef, and many reported that it was undercooked.