More than 167,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products are being recalled over E. coli concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Wednesday.
The USDA has announced a recall of over 100 products from Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit-based company. This action follows an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, prompted by reports of illness among individuals who had consumed ground beef. Subsequent testing revealed the presence of E. coli in a beef sample from Wolverine Packing Co.
Here is what to do if their products are in your refrigerator.
When was Wolverine Packing Co. ground beef recalled?
Products were distributed to restaurants nationwide, and 15 cases of E. coli poisoning have been identified in just Minnesota. According to the recall, 15 patients in Minnesota became ill after eating the beef, with illness onset dates ranging from Nov. 2 to Nov. 10.
The FSIS stated that fresh products have a “use by” date of Nov. 14, 2024, and frozen products are marked with a production date of Oct. 22, 2024. The FSIS advised restaurants nationwide to check their refrigerators and freezers for these products and either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.
All impacted products have the establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
What products were recalled?
The recall encompasses over 100 fresh and frozen raw ground beef products. Besides Wolverine Packing Co., these products are also sold under other brand names, such as 1855 Beef, Davis Creek Meals, Farmer’s Choice, Heritage Restaurant Brands, and Cheney Brothers, Inc., according to a list of labels released by the USDA.
You can see the full USDA list here.
Were there any reported cases in Texas?
Currently, there have been no reported cases of illness from beef products in Texas.
What is E. coli? What are the symptoms?
According to MayoClinc.org, Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. However, a few strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
Exposure to E. coli comes from contaminated water or undercooked food. Here are some symptoms:
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Diarrhea, which can range from mild and watery to severe and bloody.
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Stomach cramping, pain or tenderness.
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Nausea and vomiting in some people.
The timing of the Illness varies. You might become ill from one day after exposure to more than a week later.
How to avoid avoid E. Coli poisoning
To avoid E. coli poisoning, follow these key steps from the Food Safety and Inspection Service:
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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling animals.
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Cook meat thoroughly, especially ground beef, to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).
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Avoid raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products.
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Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cooking them.
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Drink safe water especially when camping or traveling. Use bottled water or treat water by boiling or using a filter.
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Practice good hygiene in the kitchen by keeping surfaces clean and avoiding cross-contamination between raw meat and other foods.
-USA TODAY Network contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Over 167,000 pounds of ground beef recalled due to E. coli concerns
