French authorities are investigating two new suspected cases of E. coli linked to hamburger patties that have already infected seven children in northern France.

Of the children between 18 months and 8 years old, the worst-affected child is a two-year-old who is in a medically-induced coma.

Health authorities have ordered a recall of 10 tons of the frozen beef patties produced in France but sold by the German

supermarket chain Lidl.

The bacteria in the hamburger is not related to the lethal strain of E coli that killed 39 people and made 3,000 ill, most of them in northern Germany.

The health minister said the two new patients were being examined for signs of E. coli. Results from their tests should be available Saturday.