The two chains were among those to sell ground beef products that might be contaminated with harmful E. coli bacteria.

The meat is believed to have caused an outbreak that killed two people and sent 16 others to the hospital in the northeastern U.S.

The potentially contaminated meat from Giant was sold as store brand one-pound trays of ground beef, such as:

* "Giant Extra Lean Ground Beef, 96/4."

* "Giant Meatloaf & Meatball Mix."

* "Giant Nature's Promise Ground Beef."

* "Giant Nature's Promise Ground Beef Patties."

Each package says "EST. 492" inside the USDA inspection mark or on the nutrition label and were packaged on Sept. 15 and 16. The packages carry a sell-by date from Sept. 19 through Sept. 28.

The BJ's products being recalled are:

* 5-pound trays of "Fresh Ground Beef," 15 percent fat patties.

* 3- and 5-pound trays of "Lean Ground Beef," 7 percent fat.