Tejal Somvanshi
Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled nearly 170,000 pounds of ground beef distributed to restaurants across the country, as announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture alerted FSIS on November 13 about a group of people who had consumed ground beef before they fell ill. On November 20, a ground beef sample collected by Minnesota officials tested positive for E. coli O157. Federal officials determined that the products from Wolverine Packing Co. were linked to the people who had become sickened in Minnesota.
15 patients in Minnesota were identified, with illness onset dates ranging from November 2 to November 10. At least two have been hospitalized, according to Minnesota officials.
The recalled products include:
- Fresh products with a “use by” date of November 14, 2024.
- Frozen products with a production date of October 22, 2024.
- Products bearing establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
According to the CDC, E. coli can cause diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, vomiting or fever. Some cases can lead to complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. This can result in kidney failure, permanent health problems or death, the CDC says. HUS occurs in 5 to 15 percent of people infected with E. coli O157 or 0104:H4, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
The USDA advises consumers to cook their meat to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, or 71.1 degrees Celsius. “The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature,” it says.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F.
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving.
- Bloody diarrhea.
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down.
- Signs of dehydration, such as not peeing much, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up.
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According to the Mayo Clinic, E. coli stands for Escherichia coli, a bacteria that normally lives “in the intestines of healthy people and animals.” “Most types of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. But a few strains … can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting,” the clinic reported.
The CDC advises consumers to wash their hands for 20 seconds or longer with soap and water, avoid unclean drinking water and rinse fresh fruits and vegetables before consumption, among other tips, to avoid E. coli contamination.
“Restaurants are urged not to serve these products,” as some may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers.
The recall comes amid a multi-state organic carrot recall also due to E. coli concerns, with nearly 40 people sickened across 18 states. 15 of those people were hospitalized, officials said. It also comes weeks after an E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s linked to slivered onions served on Quarter Pounder Hamburgers.
