If you have any ground beef in your refrigerator or freezer, you’ll want to check it immediately. That’s because the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert after discovering that some raw ground beef items that were shipped to retail stores and institutions nationwide may be contaminated with E. Coli.
Though the FSIS has issued the public health alert, a recall order was not issued. The FSIS says that is because the affected products are no longer available for purchase. However, the fear is that consumers or restaurants may still have the contaminated ground beef in their freezers or refrigerators.
Which ground beef products are impacted?
The FSIS has provided a list of over a dozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. Coli. Those products include ground beef chubs and patties. The organization has also published a document showing the labels of some of the affected products, which you can view here.
When were these products sold?
The FSIS says the raw ground beef items were produced on March 28, 2024 and have a packaging date of “032824.” The products also have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024. Additionally, the products bear the establishment number of “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
What is E. Coli and what symptoms does it cause?
E. Coli is a bacterium that can be deadly, especially to children and older adults. Symptoms include dehydration, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, which the USDA says usually begin three to four days after exposure.
While most people recover, some go on to develop a type of kidney failure that is “marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output.” This requires immediate medical attention. “Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately,” the notice says.
So far, there are no confirmed reports of anyone who has become ill due to the consumption of the impacted products.
The FSIS says that if consumers or food institutions find the affected products in their possession, they should not consume or serve them. Instead the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
The FSIS also reminds consumers that they should only consume raw meat products after those products have been cooked to a temperature of 160ºF, which should be confirmed by using a food thermometer.
You can read the FSIS’s full public health alert here.