When a renowned meat producer initiates a recall, you better pay attention. Especially if it involves products you may have at home.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced that Cargill Meat Solutions is recalling over 16,000 pounds of raw ground beef products due to potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. These products have already been distributed to Walmart locations across the country.
If you are in possession of any of the products listed below, the best thing to do is to just not consume them. What you could do is to either dispose of the products properly or return them to where you bought them for a refund. Here are the specific items being recalled:
- 2.25 lbs. trays containing “93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF” with lot code 117
- 1.33 lbs. trays containing four “PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES” with lot code 118
- 2.25 lbs. trays containing “85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF” with lot code 117
- 2.25 lbs. trays containing “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK” with lot code 118
- 1.33 lbs. trays containing four “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES” with lot code 118
- 1.33 lbs. trays containing four “90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES” with lot code 118
All of them were produced on April 26-27, 2024, bear a USDA mark of inspection, and have the establishment number “EST. 86P” printed on the back.
This recall was initiated after the discovery that segregated products, previously set aside, had been mistakenly used in the production. So far, no one has reported any adverse reaction from the distributed products. If you or anyone you know may have consumed any of the recalled products and show symptoms of E. coli infection should immediately seek medical advice.
E. coli infections have several symptoms but the most common ones include stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and a fever. While most people are known to recover within a week, E. coli infections can still lead to life threatening complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, decreased urination, unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. When these symptoms arise, you must immediate get medical assistance to prevent any further damage.
Let’s all stay tuned and watch for updates to keep our food safe.
States and Locations Affected by the Recall
Cargill Meat Solutions had to recall several products that were potentially contaminated with E. coli. Having such products distributed can cause an outbreak and lead to potential food safety hazards in affected areas. Since they were shipped to Walmart stores nationwide, it can be difficult to pinpoint which locations have had the product sold before being recalled.
List of Impacted States
The meat was sent to several places. These include states like Connecticut, Maryland, and New York. The recall also reached Washington D.C., and West Virginia among others. Additionally, Valley Meats recalled about 7,000 pounds affecting more states. These are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan.
Safety Measures and Consumer Guidance
If you’ve recently bought raw ground beef, the first thing you should do is to check the labels. Check if it’s labeled with establishment number “EST. 86P” and lot codes 117 or 118. Both the USDA and Cargill strongly advise to get rid of products with these labels by either discarding them or returning them to stores. This simple step should keep you safe from being infected with E. coli. But what else can you do?
Steps to Take if You Have Purchased Contaminated Beef
- The first thing to do is always check the label if it falls under the set of recalled products.
- If it matches, just get rid of the meat or return it for a refund.
- To stay safe, avoid eating any undercooked ground beef.
- When cooking beef, always make sure it’s heated to at least 160°F to kill any bad bacteria.
From The Club
E. coli is a deadly bacteria that can cause serious health issues. It’s something that we should simply avoid at all costs. While it’s quite unfortunate that these products were not thoroughly checked and tested before being shipped out, the best thing we can do right now is follow the proper safety protocol. Remember, preventions is better than cure. So if you’re in possession of the potentially tainted meat, just get rid of it. Stay safe everyone!