Beef warning issued due to potentially fatal contamination

Officials have issued a public health warning for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the raw ground beef products covered by the alert carry the establishment number “EST. 960A” within the USDA inspection mark and were shipped to food service facilities and retail locations nationwide.

They were manufactured on March 28, 2024, have a use/freeze date of April 22, 2024 and packaging information of “032824,” the FSIS said in a news release.

No recall has been filed because the products are no longer for sale, but the FSIS issued the warning to ensure consumers are aware that the products should not be consumed.

The list of products affected by the recall can be found on the FSIS website here.

The problem was discovered by the Greater Omaha Packing Co. in Nebraska during an inventory of a product that was on hold because it was found to be positive for E. coli. The company notified the FSIS that it had accidentally used some of the contaminated beef to produce products that were then shipped, the agency said.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness resulting from the consumption of these products.

E. Coli is a potentially fatal bacteria that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps between two and eight days after exposure. Most people recover, but some may develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is most common in children under five and older adults. Those with the condition are at risk of bruising easily and decreased urine production. Anyone with these symptoms should seek emergency care immediately.

The FSIS urged consumers who purchased the products not to consume them and food service establishments not to serve them. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers are also advised to safely prepare raw meat products, both fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to confirm that ground beef has been cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures the internal temperature.

Consumers with questions about the public health alert can contact Gina Adami, Greater Omaha Packing at 402-575-4702 or by emailing [email protected].

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or email an inquiry to [email protected].