The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a recall of more than 58,000 pounds of raw ground beef produced by American Foods Group, doing business as Green Bay Dressed Beef. The recall was initiated due to concerns over possible contamination with E. coli. The beef products, which were produced on Thursday, tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in a sample batch.
E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria that can be found in the environment, food, and the intestines of both humans and animals. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, some can cause illness and symptoms such as diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and respiratory illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that these bacteria can pose serious health risks.
The recall specifically affects 80-pound cases containing 10-pound plastic tubes (chubs) labeled as “90050 BEEF FINE GROUND 81/19” with lot code D123226026, “20473 BEEF HALAL FINE GROUND 73/27” with lot code D123226027, and “20105 BEEF FINE GROUND 73/27” with lot code D123226027.
The affected beef products were shipped to distributors in Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio. The packages can be identified by the establishment number 18076 inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Thus far, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions to the contaminated meat. However, consumers who have purchased these products are advised to discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the recall, you can contact the USDA at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or via email at [email protected].
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention