The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a nationwide recall of over 83 tons of ground beef due to potential contamination with the harmful bacteria E. coli O157:H7. The recalled beef, produced by Wolverine Packing Co. of Detroit, totals approximately 167,277 pounds and was shipped to various restaurants across the country.
Products Affected and Recall Details
The recalled ground beef includes both fresh and frozen products with use-by dates of November 14 for fresh items and an October 22 production date for frozen products. These products were marked with establishment number “EST. 2574B” and are being pulled from shelves to protect public health. The USDA has released a full list of affected products and labels for reference.
E.coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause severe foodborne illness. Symptoms of infection typically include dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The bacterium can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and the elderly, including a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming ground beef should seek immediate medical attention.
USDA's Recommendations and Safety Measures
The USDA is advising all consumers to discard any affected beef products immediately. Restaurant owners are also being warned not to serve any of the recalled items. Additionally, the USDA recommends that consumers cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure safety. A food thermometer should be used to verify that the beef has reached the proper temperature.
For more details on the recall and to see if any of your beef products are affected, visit the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service website.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Sruthi Suresh/MSM)