Ground beef products produced in March and shipped to retailers and foodservice establishments nationwide have been recalled due to concerns about contamination with E. coli. Nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef were recalled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after positive tests for E. coli were discovered by Greater Omaha Packing Co. while checking inventory.
The problem was found to have occurred when some contaminated beef was inadvertently used to produce ground beef products that were then shipped to the trade. Affected products have a pack date of March 28, 2024, use/freeze until April 22, 2024, and a company number of “EST. 960A.” However, it is important to note that these items are no longer available for purchase as they have already been removed from circulation.
No confirmed reports of illness related to beef consumption have been reported yet, but individuals should contact their healthcare provider if they are concerned about their health after consuming affected products. Symptoms of exposure to E. coli can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, which may last from one day to more than a week after exposure.
The FSIS has listed specific ground beef products under a health warning due to the presence of E. coli bacteria in some strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, which can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms like dehydration or kidney failure in rare cases