The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for contaminated beef products. According to a press release issued on April 20, the USDA reports that ground beef products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS has issued this public health alert to notify consumers that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
The raw ground beef items in question were produced on March 28, 2024, with a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.” The list of products subject to the public health alert can be found on the FSIS website. These products bear the establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection and were shipped nationwide to food service institutions and retail locations.
The Greater Omaha Packing Co. LLC was identified by the USDA as the source of the contaminated beef products. The issue was discovered when the packer conducted an inventory of products on hold due to a positive test for E. coli O157:H7. The company informed FSIS that contaminated beef was mistakenly shipped into commerce, leading to the public health alert.
While there have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products, the USDA recommends contacting a healthcare provider if there are concerns. FSIS is worried that some of the contaminated product may still be in consumers’ and food service institutions’ freezers, and they advise against consuming or serving the products. The products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially dangerous bacterium that can cause symptoms like dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 2-8 days after exposure. Although most people recover within a week, some may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is more common in young children and older adults. Symptoms of HUS include easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output, and emergency medical care should be sought immediately if these symptoms arise.