The USDA has posted a retail list for ground beef packed by Wolverine Packing Company that is being recalled for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The beef is associated with an E. coli outbreak in four states that has sickened at least 11 people. Most of those in the outbreak ordered rare hamburgers at restaurants. The outbreak count is as follows: five people are sick in Michigan, four in Ohio, 1 in Missouri and 1 in Massachusetts. The ground beef was sold in many states.
The following stores may have sold the hamburger: Gordon Food Service Marketplace in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. In Florida, Surf N Turf Market in Sebring and Giorgio’s Italian Deli in Stuart are listed. In Georgia, Blairsville Seafood Market in Blairsville is on the list, and in Michigan, M Sixty Six General Store in Orleans is listed.
Two stores in North Dakota may have sold the beef: Bronson’s Super Valu in Beulah, and Jason’s Super Foods in New Town. In Ohio, Buchtel Food Mart in Buchtel may have carried the recalled hamburger. In Tennessee, it may have been sold at Quick Stop in Erwin, Virginia Market in Maynardville, and Barger Foods in Nashville. Finally, Virginia Heights Travel Store in Wytheville, Virginia may have carried the ground beef. Please see the USDA list for specific addresses for these stores.
If you purchased ground beef from any of those locations, do not eat it. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund or discard it in a closed container so no animals can get at it. The product specific information, including production date codes is posted at the USDA web site. The recalled hamburger does have the establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
It’s important to always cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F checked with an accurate food thermometer. Heat is the only way to kill E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. Remember this when you grill this Memorial Day weekend, and the rest of the year whenever you handle or prepare ground beef or other ground meats.
E. coli O157:H7 bacteria can cause serious illness, especially among the young, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, and those with compromised immune systems. However, anyone can become very sick if they eat food contaminated with this pathogenic bacteria. E. coli O157:H7 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that can lead to kidney failure and death.
If you ate any of this recalled product, monitor yourself for the signs of E. coli food poisoning, which include severe abdominal cramps, watery and/or bloody diarrhea, mild fever, nausea, and vomiting. If you do get sick, see your doctor as soon as possible and tell her you ate some of the recalled ground beef.
