Wolverine Packing Co., based in Detroit, has issued a recall of approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products due to potential contamination with E. coli, as announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The recall was initiated after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture alerted the FSIS about illnesses linked to ground beef consumption. Between November 2 and November 10, the FSIS confirmed 15 cases of illness associated with these products.
The recalled meat was distributed to restaurants nationwide. Fresh products have a use-by date of November 14, while frozen products were produced on October 22. Consumers can identify the affected products by the label that includes the establishment number “EST. 2574B” within the USDA mark of inspection.
Important Safety Information
The FSIS has expressed concern that some of the recalled products may still be stored in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are strongly advised not to serve these items and to either discard them or return them to the place of purchase. A complete list of the recalled products and their labels is available on the FSIS website.
E. coli is a potentially life-threatening bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms typically appear within two to eight days after exposure, often manifesting as dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most individuals recover within a week; however, infections caused by E. coli O157:H7, the strain involved in this recall, can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that may result in kidney failure. HUS is particularly dangerous for children under five and older adults, presenting symptoms such as easy bruising, pale skin, and decreased urine output. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
In response to the recall, Wolverine Packing has stated that it is cooperating with the FSIS to address the situation.
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