The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is warning about potential E. coli contamination in some ground beef products. The products in question were produced by the Greater Omaha Packing Co., and consist of patties and tubes of raw ground beef. The FSIS issued a public health alert urging consumers and food service institutions to avoid consuming the products due to the risk of E. coli contamination. The affected products were made on March 28 and have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22 with the establishment number “EST. 960A.”
Although no recall has been initiated for the tainted ground beef products because they are no longer available for purchase, the FSIS is advising caution. The contamination was discovered by the company during an inventory check of products on hold due to a positive E. coli 0157:H7 test. Some of the contaminated beef was mistakenly used in ground beef products shipped into commerce. Both food service institutions and retailers received these affected meat products.
The type of E. coli found in the ground beef products is a potentially dangerous bacterium that can lead to symptoms such as dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The FSIS estimates that over one-third of the total yearly cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli illnesses in the U.S. are caused by contaminated products like these. To date, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the consumption of the affected ground beef products.
Consumers are advised to dispose of the products in the trash or return them to the retailer for a refund. Greater Omaha Packing is a major producer of beef that exports its products to more than 70 countries worldwide.