MOSCOW -- Russian regulators are introducing a ban on meat and milk products from some 300 German companies, citing concern about E. coli.

The statement by the agricultural oversight agency Rosselkhoznadzor did not identify the companies but said the ban will begin Monday.

The agency's chief, Sergei Dankvert, told the Interfax news agency Wednesday that the ban follows inspections of German imports that found bacteria related to E. coli.

Recently, an E. coli outbreak killed 39 people and infected more than 3,500, most in Germany, and it was traced to sprouts from a farm there. Russia responded by imposing a ban on imports of vegetables from the EU, which it lifted Wednesday.

Russia seems to believe that E. coli outbreak is now affecting German meat and milk products.