Beef Recall as Dire Warning Issued

Numerous beef products have been recalled over fears that they may have been contaminated with E.coli, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced.

Six ground beef products produced by Cargill Meat Solutions of Pennsylvania are being recalled by the FSIS after a previously "segregated product" was inadvertently used in the production of ground mince and burger patties. In all, 16,243 pounds of raw beef is believed to be affected.

Cargill Meat Solutions told Newsweek that the products have been shipped to Walmart stores in 12 states: Connecticut, Washington DC, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York. All products have an establishment number of "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label. The recalled products are:

• 2.25 pounds. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117.
• 1.33 pounds. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES" with lot code 118.
• 2.25 pounds. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117.
• 2.25 pounds. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" with lot code 118.
• 1.33 pounds. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" with lot code 118.
• 1.33 pounds. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES" with lot code 118.

The FSIS has said consumers should check their refrigerators or freezers, and any affected purchases should not be consumed and either be thrown away or returned to the store. For any customers with queries regarding the recall, Cargill has set up a consumer hotline at 1-844-419-1574.

Escherichia coli, more commonly referred to as E.coli, is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps in infected humans. Symptoms typically begin around three to four days after being infected, and most people recover within a week.

While the majority of people who become infected will have a mild—although unpleasant—reaction, it can cause serious health problems for some, particularly in children under 5 years old and elderly adults over the age of 65. Some, around 5 to 10 percent of those infected can develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

HUS usually develops around seven days after infection and requires hospital treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says symptoms include "decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids."

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness caused by consuming one of the products. Anyone who has eaten the product and becomes ill should contact their health care provider.

Update 05/02/24 10:53 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Cargill Meat Solutions.