Officials have recalled around 160,000 pounds of ground beef over worries it was contaminated with the strongest strain of E.coli.
The raw meat packs had been distributed to Walmart by Cargill Meat Solutions, a Pennsylvania-based company that ships meat around the country.
The food safety watchdog is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
Packs don’t have Cargill on the label. Instead, the brand on the front is ‘All Natural’. They were produced on April 26 to 27 and have an ID of ‘EST.86P’. Pictures are available here.
The USDA-Food Safety Inspection Service’s recall notice said Cargill reported the issue to them after it spotted that ‘previously segregated product had been inadvertently utilized in the production of ground beef.’
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Walmart mince beef is being recalled over an E.coli risk
FILE – A shopper loads her car after shopping at a Walmart in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018. Walmart announced Tuesday, April 30, 2024, is closing its health centers and virtual care service, as the retail giant has struggled to find success with the offerings. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
The specific strain of E. coli in question is O157:H7, known for its potential to cause a form of kidney failure – hemolytic uremic syndrome – that can be fatal.
Symptoms include two to eight days of bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
More generally, E.coli symptoms include severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and nausea. These typically appear three to four days after exposure.
Some can feel ill sooner, while it may take a week for others to feel unwell.
The USDA said there had been no reports of people falling ill so far.
Individuals at the highest risk of complications include young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The raw ground beef items were produced on April 26 to 27. The following products are subject to recall:
2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing ‘93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF’ with lot code 117 and establishment number ‘EST. 86P’ printed on the back of the label.
1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four ‘PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES’ with lot code 118 and establishment number ‘EST. 86P’ printed on the back of the label.
2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing ‘85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF’ with lot code 117 and establishment number ‘EST. 86P’ printed on the back of the label.
2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing ‘80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK’ with lot code 118 and establishment number ‘EST. 86P’ printed on the back of the label.
1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four ‘80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES’ with lot code 118 and establishment number ‘EST. 86P’ printed on the back of the label.
1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four ‘90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES’ with lot code 118 and establishment number ‘EST. 86P’ printed on the back of the label.
