Nationwide Alert Issued for Ground Beef Over E. coli Concerns

SAN ANGELO, TX - A nationwide public health alert has been issued for ground beef over the risk of E.coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

FSIS stated on its website that raw ground beef items produced on March 28, with a use/freeze-by date of April 22, should not be eaten. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available.

The products included in the public health alert have the establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Information from FSIS states that they were shipped to food service institutions and retail stores nationwide. 

The issue was discovered during an inventory of a product on hold because it tested positive for E. coli. FSIS was notified that a portion of the contaminated beef was used to produce ground beef products shipped to be sold.

FSIS stated that the concern is that some beef may be in freezers in people’s homes and food service institutions. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS states there have been no confirmed reports of illness. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact their doctor.

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps for two to eight days, three to four days on average, after exposure, FSIS stated.

While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

This condition can occur at any age but is most common in children younger than five and older adults.

Other symptoms include easy bruising, pallor, a pale tone, and decreased urine output. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS recommends that raw meat, whether fresh or frozen, be cooked to 160 degrees before it is eaten.

The list of beef included in the nationwide public health alert can be found here. The labels for these products can be found on the FSIS website view labels.