The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a recall of approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products distributed by Wolverine Packing Co., based in Detroit, Michigan. The recall stems from contamination concerns related to E. coli O157:H7, a harmful strain of bacteria known to cause severe illnesses.

Details of the Recall

• Products Involved: Fresh and frozen ground beef products.
• “Use By” Dates:
  • Fresh products: 11/14/2024
  • Frozen products: 10/22/2024
• Distribution: These products were shipped to restaurants nationwide. There is no indication that they were sold directly to consumers in stores.
• Risk: Restaurants are advised to check their refrigerators and freezers for these products and either discard them or return them to the supplier immediately.

E. coli Illness Reports

To date, 15 illnesses have been reported in Minnesota, with symptoms appearing between November 2 and November 10, 2024. The FSIS was first alerted to the outbreak on November 13, following an investigation by the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health.

Subsequent testing of a ground beef sample from Wolverine Packing Co. confirmed the presence of E. coli O157:H7.

Company Response

Wolverine Packing Co. has issued an official statement:

“Wolverine has notified all customers that received the affected products. We are conducting an intensive internal audit to review all suppliers and processes to maintain the highest standards of production.”

Health Risks of E. coli O157:H7

E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, and, in rare cases, a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Anyone who suspects consuming contaminated ground beef and experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

Next Steps for Restaurants

The FSIS has urged restaurants to:

• Check all ground beef inventory for affected products.
• Discard or return any products matching the recall description.
• Avoid serving recalled items to customers.

For a full list of affected products and images of the labels, visit the FSIS website.

Stay Safe

This recall underscores the importance of proper food safety measures. Businesses and individuals are reminded to handle and cook ground beef thoroughly, as cooking to an internal temperature of 70°C can eliminate harmful bacteria.

Stay informed and vigilant to ensure food safety for all.

For updates on this recall, visit www.fsis.usda.gov.