Recall of Over 160,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Issued for E. coli Risk

Around 167,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination. The recall was initiated after the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health discovered a link between reported illnesses and ground beef from Wolverine Packing Co. in Detroit. Fifteen people were reported sick with symptoms beginning between Nov. 2 and Nov. 10. Testing of a ground beef sample revealed the presence of E. coli O157:H7, a harmful strain of bacteria. The FSIS has provided a list of affected products and advised consumers to cook beef products to 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria. The products have a “use by” date of either Nov. 14 for fresh products or Oct. 22 for frozen products, and the label contains the number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The recall affects products that were distributed to restaurants nationwide, prompting the FSIS to urge restaurants not to serve these products. E. coli O157:H7 can cause serious health issues including intestinal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, and damage to blood vessels in the kidneys. This strain of bacteria was also linked to onions in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders in October.

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