The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for contaminated beef products. The warning, released on April 20, alerts consumers that ground beef products may contain E. coli O157:H7, which can cause serious illnesses. Although a recall was not requested as the products are no longer available for purchase, FSIS is urging caution.
The raw ground beef items in question were produced on March 28, 2024, with a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.” These products bear the establishment number “EST. 960A” within the USDA mark of inspection and were distributed nationwide to food service institutions and retail locations. A list of the affected products can be found on the FSIS website.
In a press release, the USDA connects the contamination to Greater Omaha Packing Co. LLC who discovered it while conducting an inventory of products on hold due to a positive test result for E. coli O157:H7. The company promptly notified FSIS about the issue.
Although there have been no confirmed reports of illness related to consuming these products so far, if you have any concerns about your health or that of others who may have consumed them, contact your healthcare provider immediately. FSIS is concerned that some contaminated beef products may still be in freezers at consumers’ homes or food service institutions and advises against consuming or serving them. Instead, they should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase as soon as possible to avoid further risk to public health safety.
E.coli O157:H7 is a dangerous bacteria that can lead to severe gastrointestinal illnesses such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), kidney failure and stroke-like episodes known as thrombosis subarachnoidaeus (TSa).
