A Detroit, Mich., packing plant has recalled about 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said last week.
The possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7 applies to fresh products that have a “use by” date of Nov. 14 and frozen products labeled with production date 10 22 24. The products were from the Wolverine Packing Co.
So far, 15 patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from Nov. 2 to Nov. 10.
The full product list is available online at this link.
“The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection,” the agriculture department said. “These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide.”
The suspected E. coli contamination was discovered when the Minnesota Department of Agriculture notified the inspection division that the ill people had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness.
FSIS was notified of illnesses on Nov. 13. On Nov. 20, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for E. coli O157.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps two to eight days after exposure. The average is three to four days.
While most people recover within a week, some develop kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers,” the agency said. “Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
In October, McDonald’s Corp. reported an E. coli outbreak potentially linked to the chain and slivered onions processed by Taylor Farms in Colorado. It was reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak involved 49 cases and one fatality across 10 states. The Food and Drug Administration’s early assessment was linked to the slivered onions used on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers, which were removed from restaurants in affected areas in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, equating to nearly one-fifth of the company’s domestic system.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or send a question via email to [email protected].
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]
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