The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Agriculture Department has recalled about 167,000 pounds of ground beef products, both fresh and frozen, due to potential E. coli contamination.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service said it collaborated with the Minnesota departments of Agriculture and Health to look into a connection between a number of reported illnesses and ground beef from Detroit-based meat wholesaler Wolverine Packing Co.
As of Wednesday, 15 persons had been reported ill, with symptoms starting between November 2 and November 10.
The Minnesota Agriculture Department tested a ground beef sample from Wolverine that same day and discovered that it had a dangerous bacterial strain known as E. coli O157:H7, according to a news release from the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
A list of all impacted items as well as pictures of each product label included in the recall were supplied by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The “use by” dates for the frozen goods are October 22 and November 14, respectively, according to the statement. The number “EST. 2574B” is listed within the USDA mark of inspection on the recalled items.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service was “concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers” after the items were distributed to eateries all throughout the nation.
In order to adequately eradicate germs, it advised restaurants “not to serve these products” and customers to “safely prepare their raw meat products.” All beef products should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
The same type of bacteria, E. coli O157:H7, was found in certain McDonald’s Quarter Pounders last month and was associated with onions. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can result in hemolytic uremic syndrome, intestinal bleeding, and bloody diarrhea, which can damage renal blood vessels.
