How to Check Ground Beef for Recall
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Hamburger patties and bulk-packaged ground beef distributed to 17 states have been recalled over concerns that they may be contaminated with E. coli, a foodborne pathogen that can be particularly harmful to older adults.
Lakeside Refrigerated Services, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, recalled approximately 120,872 pounds of its ground beef after routine testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on imported products came back positive for the bacteria. While the recalled products were sent to 17 states, they may have been sold at stores in other states, as well.
There have been no reports of illness or adverse reaction from consuming these products; however, many clinical labs do not test for the type of E. coli detected in this recall, E. coli O103, because it is harder to identify, FSIS said in the April 25 announcement.
The USDA classified this recall as a Class I, meaning there is high to medium probability that consuming the meat can cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Recalled ground beef
The recalled ground beef was produced from Feb. 1, 2022, through April 8, with the establishment number "EST. 46841" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were sold under six brand names as well as in unbranded bulk packages, and distributed to Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington state.
Although most affected retailers have not yet acknowledged the recalls publicly, the recalled products include several store brands, including Marketside (Walmart), Weis (Weis Markets) and SEG (Winn-Dixie). Additional brands that were recalled are Thomas Farms, Tajima and Nature's Reserve. Other retailers known to have sold these brands include Target and Food City. See the full list of recalled products, including brand names, product descriptions, packaging dates and lot codes.
According to an April 26 recall alert from Walmart, the recalled ground beef was sold at nearly 1,400 of its stores in 17 states, plus stores in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Here is the full list of Walmart stores that sold the recalled ground beef.
Advice to consumers
FSIS advised consumers to check their freezers for any potentially contaminated ground beef that may have been frozen. Anyone who purchased the recalled products should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
Those with questions about the recall may contact Lakeside Refrigerated Services toll-free at 800-493-9042 or by email at customercare@lakesiderefrigerated.com.
Any other food safety questions may be directed to the USDA Meat and Poultry hotline at 888-674-6854 or live chat via Ask USDA, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Public health alert on other ground beef products
A public health alert unrelated to the current recall was issued for other ground beef products because they may contain a different strain of the bacteria, E. coli O26. The meat hasn't been recalled because it is no longer available for purchase. But the USDA is concerned that the beef may be in consumers'freezers.
Anyone who has these products in their freezer should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. All are labeled with 350/(time stamp)/Est.31805/002. Time stamp ranges from 0602 to 1721:
- All Natural Laura's Lean Beef 92% lean, 8% fat ground beef, 1-lb foam tray
- Kroger Ground Beef Carne Molida 96% lean, 4% fat, 1-lb foam tray
- Kroger Ground Beef Carne Molida 85% lean, 15% fat, 1-lb foam tray
- Kroger Ground Beef Carne Molida 93% lean, 7% fat, 1-lb foam tray
- Kroger Ground Beef Carne Molida 80% lean, 20% fat, 1-lb foam tray
- Private Selection Angus Beef 90% lean, 10% fat ground sirloin, 1.3-lb foam tray: An additional product was labeled with 351/(time stamp)/Est. 31805/ 003. Time stamp ranges from 1549 to 1651.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection
The specific strain of E. coli tied to this recall, E. coli O103, can cause diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Symptoms can begin two to eight days after eating contaminated ground beef. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing a stool sample.
Most people infected by the bacteria recover within a week. The standard form of care includes rehydration and other supportive measures to alleviate symptoms. Antibiotics are generally not recommended.
Some people develop a more serious infection resulting in hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. Although it is uncommon to contract it from E. coli O103, this syndrome is most likely to affect children under 5, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The hallmarks are easy bruising, pale appearance and decreased urination. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency's Washington bureau and worked in news gathering forUSA Today and Al Jazeera English.
Source: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/ground-beef-recall.html
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