Ground Beef Recall: USDA Issues Public Health Alert for E. coli Contamination

ground beef recall USDA public health alert E. coli contamination

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Apr 23, 02:27 am

Photo: (Photo : STEFANI REYNOLDS / Getty Images)

A ground beef recall has been issued by the USDA for possible E. coli contamination.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for safety concerns for the public about possibly consuming contaminated ground beef products.

USDA Issues Ground Beef Recall

These possibly contaminated products, which were manufactured by Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. on March 28, 2024, are no longer on sale, which is why a recall was not initiated immediately.

However, the USDA still issued a warning last week to assure consumers who have produce in their households or food service establishments of the risks these items might pose if they are still in their freezers.

The USDA public health alert advised consumers against consuming these products and urged food service institutions not to serve them for human or animal consumption. Instead, they recommended either disposing of the products or returning them to the place of purchase.

These ground beef items bear a "Use/Freeze by" date of April 22, 2024, and a packaging date of "032824," with an establishment number "EST. 960A" marked inside the USDA inspection stamp.

The issue came to light when the company discovered that a portion of its inventory, initially held due to E. coli contamination, had been mistakenly used in producing ground beef products that were subsequently distributed.

The USDA added, "The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce."

E. coli Contamination in Food

At present, there are no confirmed cases of illness linked to the use of these items. An immediate comment from Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. was unavailable upon ABC News' request for further details.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that certain strains of E. coli can lead to diarrhea, with transmission occurring via tainted food or water.

While anyone can contract E. coli, individuals aged 65 and older, children under 5, and those with compromised immune systems face a higher risk of infection.

E. coli symptoms, typically lasting from five to seven days, encompass bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and potentially elevated fever, according to CDC guidelines.

E. coli represents a potentially fatal bacterium, manifesting in dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramping within 2 to 8 days (averaging 3 to 4 days) post-exposure. Although most recover within a week, some may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kidney failure type.

Notably, HUS primarily affects children under 5 and older adults and is characterized by bruising, pallor, and reduced urine output, necessitating immediate medical attention for those experiencing these symptoms.

FSIS expresses concerns about the potential presence of these products in consumer freezers and food service settings. It advises consumers against consuming these products and food establishments against serving them, recommending disposal or return to the retailer.

FSIS further advises consumers to ensure proper cooking of raw meat, including ground beef, to an internal temperature of 160°F using a food thermometer for safety against harmful bacteria.