Throw Away That E. Coli-Tainted Beef, USDA Says
Ground beef accounts for 46% of all retail beef consumption in the United States in 2020. You probably have some beef in the fridge right now. If so, you’ll want to check the label to see if it’s part of a multi-state recall of ground beef products due to possible E. coli contamination. Here’s what you need to know about recalled beef and what to do if you bought it.
Which ground beef responds?
All about 28,356 pounds of ground beef products came from interstate meat distributors in Clackamas, Oregon, according to a statement released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). A distributor posted a review after learning that a retail package of their ground beef tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 .
The recalled ground beef products were sent to outlets in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, including WinCo, Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons, and manufactured on December 20, 2021.
To find out if any ground beef in your refrigerator or freezer is subject to a recall, look for the business number that reads: “EST. 965” on the label. According to the USDA, it will either be inside the USDA inspection mark or printed next to the timestamp and date of use or freeze.
What to do if you bought recalled ground beef
It should be taken for granted, but don’t eat it. The USDA is advising anyone who has purchased recalled ground beef to either throw it away or return it to the place of purchase (presumably for a refund or exchange).
If you have questions about a recall, you can contact Interstate Meat Distributors Sales Manager (Mike Sinner) or their Quality Assurance Manager (Rodolfo Mendoza) at (503) 656-6168.
If you have questions about food safety, you can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Toll Free Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov or chat via Ask USDA from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.
And finally, if you have eaten any of the recalled ground beef products and have dehydration, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or any other symptoms associated with an E. coli infection after a few days, see your doctor right away. away.