Ground Beef Recall Issued Due to E. coli Contamination Risk
Massive Ground Beef Recall Issued Due to E. coli Contamination Risk
A substantial recall of ground beef products has been announced by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) due to potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The recall affects approximately 167,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products, which were distributed to restaurants across the country.
The recall was initiated after an investigation by the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health found a link between a cluster of reported illnesses and ground beef products supplied by Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit-based meat distributor. As of November 21, 2024, 15 individuals had reported illnesses, with symptoms appearing between November 2 and November 10.
The FSIS worked closely with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health to investigate the outbreak. On November 21, 2024, the Minnesota Agriculture Department tested a ground beef sample from Wolverine Packing Co. and detected the presence of E. coli O157:H7. This strain of bacteria is known to cause severe foodborne illnesses, including intestinal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney damage.
The recalled products have a “use by” date of November 14 for fresh products and October 22 for frozen products. The products bear the establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. A comprehensive list of affected products, along with images of the product labels, is available on the FSIS website.
The FSIS has urged restaurants not to serve the recalled products and has advised consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products. It is essential to cook all beef products to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) to ensure that any bacteria present are killed.
This recall is particularly concerning, as E. coli O157:H7 is the same strain of bacteria linked to onions in some McDonald’s Quarter Pounders in October. The FSIS is working to prevent further illnesses and ensure that all affected products are removed from circulation.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are advised not to consume them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Restaurants and foodservice operators are also urged to check their inventory and discard any recalled products.
The FSIS has established a toll-free hotline for consumers to obtain more information about the recall. The hotline is available at 1-888-674-6854, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
