The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced the recall of approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products due to potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The affected products, linked to Wolverine Packing Co., have already been connected to 15 reported illnesses, though officials warn the number could rise.
What Led to the Ground Beef Recall?
The recall stems from an investigation initiated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture after a cluster of E. coli cases emerged. Tests on ground beef samples from Wolverine Packing Co. confirmed the presence of the dangerous bacterium. Ground beef is particularly susceptible to E. coli contamination due to the way it combines meat from multiple animals during processing, increasing the risk of exposure.
E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe health issues, including dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Vulnerable populations, such as young children and the elderly, are at higher risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal condition affecting the kidneys.
Consumer Safety and Next Steps
The recalled products bear the establishment number “EST. 2574B” within the USDA mark of inspection. Fresh items have a “use by” date of Nov. 14, 2024, while frozen items list a production date of Oct. 22, 2024. The FSIS advises consumers to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Wolverine Packing Co. has pledged full cooperation, notifying customers, conducting an internal audit, and reviewing its suppliers and quality control processes. This marks the company’s second significant recall related to E. coli, following a 2014 incident involving 1.8 million pounds of ground beef. Consumers are urged to discard or return affected products and seek medical attention if symptoms of E. coli infection develop. For a full list of recalled items, visit the USDA website.
