Grant Park Packing of Franklin, Illinois is recalling about 53,200 pounds of North Star Imports raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103. The USDA notice states that “Further testing is ongoing to determine if the recalled ground beef products are related to the E. coli O103 outbreak.” That outbreak has sickened at least 156 people in 10 states.
The bulk raw ground beef was produced on October 30 – 31, 2018, and November 1, 2018. The recalled product is 40-pound bulk cardboard boxes of “North Star Imports & Sales, LLC. 100% ground beef bulk 80% lean 20% fat” marked “For Institutional Use Only.” The product has the lot code GP.1051.18 and pack dates 10/30/2018, 10/31/2018, and 11/01/2018. The ground beef has the establishment number “EST. 21781” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to Minnesota for further distribution, and to Kentucky for institutional use.
The notice states, “FSIS and its public health partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health, have been investigating an outbreak of E. coli O103. Unopened, intact, packages of ground beef collected as part of the ongoing investigation tested positive for E. coli O103 at an FSIS laboratory. The sample was collected at a point of service where multiple case patients ate. At this time, there is no definitive link between this positive product and the ongoing E. coli O103 outbreak. Further traceback and product analysis continues to determine if the recalled products are related to the E. coli O103 outbreak.”
Any consumer or institution that may have this ground beef in their freezer should not use it, even if it is going to be cooked. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
The symptoms of an E. coli infection include painful and severe abdominal and stomach cramps, and diarrhea that is bloody. Some patients may also experience vomiting. If you have eaten ground beef and have been ill with these symptoms, see your doctor.
