Throw Away That HelloFresh Ground Beef, Says CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating a multi-state E. coli outbreak that has made at least seven people sick, six of whom have been hospitalized. The link between cases of foodborne illness appears to be related to contaminated ground beef from HelloFresh meal kits.
What you need to know about the E. coli outbreak
Of the seven people infected with E. coli (O157:H7) who have been interviewed so far, six reported eating ground beef from the HelloFresh meal kit. Their age ranges from 17 to 69 years old, according to the CDC , and their symptoms began between June 8 and August 17.
It is likely that more people were infected during the outbreak , but not all cases are being treated and/or reported. In addition, it usually takes three or four weeks to determine if a person who has had symptoms of eating food contaminated with E. coli is part of an outbreak.
How to know if your ground beef is contaminated
The CDC reports that the contaminated ground beef that is causing the current E. coli outbreak has been found in some HelloFresh meal kits that were shipped to consumers from July 2 to July 21, 2022. So, if you put beef in the freezer after you got it in July, you should check it out now.
The following information is indicated on the packaging of the products in question:
- Labeled “GROUND BEEF 85% COND./15% FAT”
- Packed in 10 oz. plastic vacuum bags
- “EST.46841” inside the USDA check mark
- Either “EST#46841 L1 22 155” or “EST# 46841 L5 22 155″ on the side of the package.
What to do if you have infected beef
HelloFresh is not currently recalling these ground beef products, but the CDC is advising anyone who received the company’s meal kits in July and froze any ground beef to check their freezer to see if they have the batch. Ground beef. If you do, discard the beef immediately and wash any surfaces and/or containers it may have touched with hot soapy water.