Massive Ground Beef Recall Due to E. Coli — Indiana & Illinois Affected
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Safety Inspection Service has announced a massive ground beef recall due to e. coli contamination.
According to the USDA, Illinois-based Valley Meats, LLC issued the recall when it was discovered that lab-tested ground beef tested positive for the bacterium. And now, 6,768 pounds of the meat have been called back.
What Happens When You Ingest the E. Coli Bacterium
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells us what to look for should we be concerned we're infected:
Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing <em>E. coli </em>(STEC) infection vary for each person, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
What Areas Are Affected by the Recall?
The tainted beef was sent to distributors in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa, and there are concerns that some of the meat may still be inside restaurant or institutional refrigerators or freezers. The USDA marks products with an "establishment number" upon inspection. For the beef in question, that would be "EST. 5712." These are the products that must be thrown away immediately:
<ul><li>12-lb. box package containing “ANGUS GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with product code 1208PL, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 7:36:38AM to 08:00:48AM.</li><li>16-lb. box packages containing “ANGUS GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with the product code 1253PL, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 7:25:50 AM to 08:00:36AM.</li><li>28-lb. box package containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72287, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 12:44:00PM to 12:54:32PM.</li><li>28-lb. box packaging containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72287, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamp 1:02:55PM.</li><li>24-lb. box packaging containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72284, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 1:10:09PM to 1:10:17PM.</li><li>13.5-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with product code 1103, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 1:41:55:55PM to 1:57:53PM.</li><li>20-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF” with product code 8515, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, and time stamps between 1:16:24PM to 1:31:15PM.</li><li>40-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF” with product code 8020VP, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, and time stamps between 1:34:54PM to 2:00:49PM.</li></ul>
If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the USDA via its Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.
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