Nearly 60,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Products Recalled Over E. Coli Concerns
Updated: Sep. 19, 2023
The affected ground beef was shipped to distributors in Georgia, Michigan and Ohio.
Ground beef is a staple ingredient for simple dinners. But before making any ground beef recipes, though, be aware of this recall.
On September 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a recall of 58,281 pounds of ground beef products. The recall is due to E. coli concerns at Green Bay Dressed Beef, a meat processing company that’s part of American Foods Group. Here’s what you need to know to stay healthy.
What caused the ground beef recall?
The potential contamination was discovered after the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found that a ground beef sample tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli 0103. People who become infected with E. coli can potentially develop symptoms that include vomiting or diarrhea that typically lasts a week. However, infections can become more severe or can be more severe depending on age (particularly for children under 5 and older adults) or individuals with weakened immune systems.
How do I know if I have one of the recalled products?
American Foods Group shipped the ground beef to distributors in Georgia, Michigan and Ohio. To see if they have an affected product, consumers should first check the production date. Impacted products will have a date of August 14, 2023. These are the 10-pound plastic tubes (also known as chubs) affected by the recall:
- “90050 BEEF FINE GROUND 81/19” with lot code D123226026
- “20473 BEEF HALAL FINE GROUND 73/27” with lot code D123226027
- “20105 BEEF FINE GROUND 73/27” with lot code D123226027
The lot codes are located on the right upper side of the packaging. There is also an establishment number of “EST. 18076” located within the USDA mark. Take a look at the label PDFs to see the exact location of the establishment number and lot code.
What should I do if I have an affected product?
The USDA advises consumers and distributors who have impacted products to not use them and, instead, throw them away or return them. In addition, anyone with further questions can call 1-800-829-2838 or email [email protected].
Fortunately, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions as a result of consuming the products. But, if you do have E.coli concerns, contact a healthcare provider. And to stay safe, learn how to protect your loved ones from E. coli.
Cook all ground beef to a food-safe temperature of at least 160°F to make sure it’s safe to consume. Temps of 160° kill E. coli germs effectively and quickly, according to the CDC. To confirm that the temperature is high enough to kill harmful bacteria, use a food thermometer.
