Three E.coli illnesses in Massachusetts have prompted a recall of ground beef products sold at Whole Foods stores in South Weymouth and Newton, Massachusetts. Three people who ate ground beef purchased from these stores developed E. coli O157:H7 infections between June 13 and June 25. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is working with the Massachusetts Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on an investigation of the illnesses.
A recall has been issued for 368 pounds of ground beef products produced in June and sold at the stores. Health officials are concerned that some people may have the recalled products in their freezers. Consumers who have any of the products listed below should not eat them as E.coli can cause serious illness.
Symptoms of an E.coli infection include diarrhea that can be bloody and abdominal cramps. In some cases, a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can develop. HUS, which most commonly affects young children, can lead to kidney failure. Anyone who ate these products and is experiencing symptoms should see a doctor and mention possible exposure as antibiotic treatment can worsen E.coli infections.
These recalled products were produced June 8 at the Newton store: “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT” with SKU 90013, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90247, “BEEF SIRLOIN Patty 93% LEAN / 7% Fat” with SKU 90088, “BEEF GROUND 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” with SKU 90035, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT patty FAMILY PACK” with SKU 52179, “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT” with SKU 90004, “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90037, “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 96363, “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value Pack” with SKU 52162, “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 95997, “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value pack” with SKU 52190, “BEEF GROUND 85 15 GRASS FED” with SKU 95195, “BEEF GROUND 85 15 PATTIES GRASS FED” with SKU 95196, and “BEEF BURGER GRASS FED GOURMET FEATURED” with SKU 52871.
These recalled products were produced June 10 at the Newton store: “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT” with SKU 90013, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90247, “BEEF SIRLOIN Patty 93% LEAN / 7% Fat” with SKU 90088, “BEEF GROUND 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” with SKU 90035, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT patty FAMILY PACK” with SKU 52179, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93/7 PATTIES NE” with SKU 90199, “BEEF GROUNDSIRLOIN 93/7 NE” with SKU 95051, “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT” with SKU 90004, “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90037, “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 96363, “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value Pack” with SKU 52162, “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 95997, “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value pack” with SKU 52190, “BEEF GROUND 85 15 GRASS FED” with SKU 95195, “BEEF GROUND 85 15 PATTIES GRASS FED” with SKU 95196, and “BEEF BURGER GRASS FED GOURMET FEATURED” with SKU 52871.
These recalled products were produced on June 21 at the South Weymouth store: “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 96363, “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value Pack” with SKU 52162, “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 95997, “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value pack” with SKU 52190, “BEEF GROUND 85 15 GRASS FED” with SKU 95195, “BEEF GROUND 85 15 PATTIES GRASS FED” with SKU 95196, “BEEF BURGER GRASS FED GOURMET FEATURED” with SKU 52871, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% Lean 7% fat” with SKU 90013, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90247, “BEEF SIRLOIN Patty 93% LEAN / 7% Fat” with SKU 90088, “BEEF GROUND 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” with SKU 90035, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT patty FAMILY PACK” with SKU 52179, “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93/7 PATTIES NE” with SKU 90199, and “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93/7 NE” with SKU 95051.
