Ground beef recalled for possible E. coli O103 contamination has been sold at retail locations nationwide. The ground beef was sold under various brand names. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these products. The recalling firm is Lakeside Refrigerated Services of Swedesboro, New Jersey. The 120,872 pounds of ground beef products were produced from February 1, 2022 though April 8, 2022. You can see the complete list of recalled products at the USDA web site, along with the lot number, package size, and product type. Some of the brand names of the recalled ground beef products include Thomas Farms, Naturally Better, Nature's Reserve, Marketside Butcher, and Weis, among others. Some of the beef does not have a brand name. The products … [Read more...]
Salmonella Found in International Marketplace Ground Beef in Utah
UPDATED: Ground beef contaminated with Salmonella enterica that was produced by International Marketplace in Midvale, Utah has been pulled from store shelves, according to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). While news reports claim that there are illnesses associated with this issue, Bailee Woolstenhulme, Information officer for UDAF, told Food Poisoning Bulletin that no illnesses have been confirmed at this time. A foodborne illness investigation is underway, according to a UDAF press release. The ground beef was sold at the International Marketplace store in March 2022. Testing conducted by UDAF found Salmonella enterica in ground beef samples taken from that store on March 31, 2022. More products were tested on that day, and there were presumptive positives from … [Read more...]
Interstate Meat Retail Distribution List For Ground Beef Recall Released
The Interstate Meat retail distribution list for ground beef recalled for possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7 has been released by the USDA. About 28,000 pounds of the ground beef has been recalled. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The company is located in Clackamas, Oregon. The ground beef has the establishment number "EST. 965" stamped inside the USDA mark of inspection. The brand names of the ground beef include WinCo, Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons. This list may not include all retail locations where the beef was sold, and not all of these stores may have sold the product. Use the product-specific information, including time stamps and best if used by dates, to identify whether you purchased this recalled item. The potential … [Read more...]
Interstate Meat Recalls Ground Beef For Possible E coli O157:H7
Interstate Meat recalls ground beef for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumer Reports reported that they found this contamination in a package of Kroger 93% lean ground beef purchased at a Fred Meyer store in Seattle on January 5, 2021. The recall is for about 28,356 ponds of ground beef products. The recalling firm is Interstate Meat Distributors. Inc. of Clackamas, Oregon. The raw ground beef items were produced on December 20, 2021. You can see pictures of product labels at the USDA web site. They include WinCo, Fresh GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN 90% LEAN – 10% FAT, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 18:37 through 18:48 L3, 1/11/2022; Wal-Mart, ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF 90% LEAN 10% FAT, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 18:49 through 19:18 L3, 1/11/2022; WinCo, Fresh GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN - 7% FAT, 16 oz. … [Read more...]
Consumer Reports Finds E. coli in Ground Beef at Seattle Fred Meyer Store
Consumer Reports says their experts have found E. coli in ground beef that was purchased from a Fred Meyer supermarket in Seattle, Washington. The ground beef is a Kroger brand, and the bacteria was E. coli O157:H7. The package of 93% lean ground beef has the Establishment number 965 and a "use by or freeze by" date of 1/11/2022. The Kroger store chain includes Kroger, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Dillons, Smith’s, King Soopers, Fry’s, QFC, City Market, Owen’s, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker’s, Gerbes, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market, Mariano’s, Food 4 Less, and Foods Co. Kroger operates supermarkets, multi-department stores, price-impact warehouse stores, and marketplace stores. No illnesses are associated with the consumption of this ground beef, and no recall has been issued. … [Read more...]
New Ground Beef E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak on USDA Investigation Table
A new ground beef E. coli O157:H7 outbreak on the USDA Investigation Table has been posted. Ground beef is suspected as being the source of the pathogen. The USDA Outbreak Investigation Table has even less information that the FDA's Table. There is no case count, and no information about whether or not traceback, sample collection, facility investigation, or lab analysis has been conducted. In the past, E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef have been numerous. This product can be contaminated because cows, which are ruminant animals, can carry the pathogen in their guts. The bacteria is excreted in feces, which can contaminate the animals' hides. When the cow is processed, that bacteria can contaminate cuts of meat. And when ground beef is produced from those whole cuts, the … [Read more...]
Five Outbreak Investigations on USDA Table; Two Are Active
There are five outbreak investigations on the USDA outbreak response table for 2021 only two are active. That table, like the FDA's CORE Investigation table, does not give much information to the public about the outbreaks. The USDA says that "The table does not include outbreak investigations that did not result in one more of the outcomes." Those outcomes include a recall of an FSIS-regulated product linked to the illnesses, a public health alert, and/or an after-action review report. The inactive outbreaks include an E. coli O145 outbreak that officials suspect is linked to ground beef; an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak of unknown origin that does have a link to a CDC Investigation Notice; and a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak of unknown origin. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak CDC … [Read more...]
History of E. coli O145 Outbreaks in the United States
There are three active multistate food poisoning outbreaks on the USDA outbreak table: One is for an outbreak caused by Listeria monocytogenes, one caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7, and one caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 bacteria. The last one may be linked to ground beef. Let's look at the history of E. coli O145 outbreaks. What is the history of E. coli O145 outbreaks in the United States? This pathogen is part of the Big Six STEC bacteria group that the USDA classified as adulterants back in 2011. The government started testing for the bacteria as part of a zero tolerance policy in 2012, but it has not been linked to many outbreaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was a multistate outbreak caused by E. coli O145 … [Read more...]
Wisconsin Warns Consumers To Not Make Cannibal Sandwiches
Every year during the holidays food safety experts warn consumers to avoid one type of traditional treat or another. Today, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services told consumers not to make or eat cannibal sandwiches. Cannibal sandwiches, also known as tiger meat or steak tartare, are made of raw ground beef, which is a food safety hazard. The Department also warned consumers about this item on its Facebook page. Eating raw ground beef may expose you to pathogenic E. coli O157:H7, a dangerous pathogen that can cause serious illness, kidney failure, and even death. Raw ground beef can also be contaminated with Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. It doesn't matter where you buy the ground beef, or how fresh it is; it can still be contaminated with … [Read more...]
USDA Releases Consumer Info on Preparing Frozen Foods Safely
The USDA has released consumer information on preparing frozen foods safely. New research reveals that consumers may not know how to safely cook these foods, which can put families at risk of contracting a foodborne illness. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, consumers are preparing more foods at home. It's important that all cooks, especially beginners, read product labels so they understand how to properly prepare these frozen foods. Don't rely on appearance. Some foods are not fully cooked or ready to eat. That can cause confusion, especially if the food is breaded or if it has grill marks. In a recent USDA study, 22% of consumer's said that a not ready to eat frozen chicken entree was either cooked, partially cooked, or they weren't sure, when the entree was actually … [Read more...]
