Elizabeth-based Topps Meat Company announced an expansion of a meat recall due to possibilities of E. coli contamination Saturday.

The recall affects eight states and nearly 22 million pounds of meat. More than two dozen people in those eight states were reported sick. Three of the individuals reported ill were confirmed to have eaten Topps hamburgers.

The meat affected includes items with sell-by dates between September 25, 2007 and September 25, 2008, according to a Topps spokesperson.

Residents say they are uneasy about the recall in light of other recent recalls of consumer products.

The spokesperson says it is a voluntary recall aimed at the safety of customers and that the company is fully cooperating with the USDA.