Cargill Meat Solutions of Colorado is recalling about 25,288 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. This bacteria can cause serious illness and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in some populations. There have been no reports of any illnesses as of the time of the recall.
The ground beef was produced on August 16, 2018. The recall includes 10 pound chubs of “Excel 93/7 Fine Grind Ground Beef” with a use by/freeze by date of September 5 on the chub label. The pack date is 08/16/2018 on the box label. The ground beef has the establishment number “EST. 86R” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product shipped to warehouses in Colorado and California.
The establishment discovered the problem on August 22, 2018 when they reviewed their records and found that this ground beef may be associated with product that was presumptive positive for E. coli O157:H7.
If you have this Cargill product in your home refrigerator or freezer, do not eat it. Discard it by wrapping it well in foil or plastic wrap so other people and animals can’t access it. You can also return it to the store where you purchased it for a refund.
E. coli O157:H7 bacteria can cause symptoms including bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea a few days after exposure. Children under the age of five who contract this infection may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a type of kidney failure.
This recall is a good reminder to all consumers to cook all ground beef products to at least 160°F and test that temperature with a meat thermometer. Ground beef is susceptible to this type of contamination because the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, which lives in the guts of ruminant animals, can be on the surface of intact cuts. When that meat is ground, the bacteria can be spread throughout the product.
