Food Poisoning from Ground Beef Sold at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Other Retailers Sickens 120 People in 22 States: CDC

Following a massive recall involving ground beef sold at Walmart, Sam’s Club and other locations, federal health officials indicate that at least 120 cases of food poisoning have been confirmed in 22 different states, including nearly three dozen illnesses that resulted in the need for hospitalization. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an update on a multi-state salmonella outbreak this week, warning consumers, retailers, and restaurants to stop consuming or selling recalled ground beef produced by JBS Tolleson, which has been distributed nationwide.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) first announced a Class I ground beef recall on October 4, impacting nearly 7 million bounds of raw meat. At that time, the outbreak included 57 illnesses identified through epidemiological investigations. However, that number has nearly doubled in recent weeks.

Recalled JBS Tolleson ground beef products may be contaminated with salmonella Newport bacteria, impacting packages marked with establishment number “EST.267”. The meat was sold through dozens of retailers including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Brookshire Brothers, Winn Dixie Supermarkets, Harvey’s Supermarket and many more.

To date, CDC officials are aware of the products being distributed to Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, California, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, New England, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, West Virginia, Wyoming, Georgia and Washington.

Symptoms of salmonella food poisoning usually appear with in 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food, and may result in severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and fever. Although most healthy adults recuperate within a few days or weeks, in severe cases the bacteria may spread from the intestines through the bloodstream to other sites in the body.

Young children, the elderly and those with a weak immune system are most at risk for severe injuries and hospitalization from food poisoning after eating meat contaminated with salmonella. In some cases, if the food poisoning is not properly treated it can lead to fatal injuries.

Restaurants and retailers are being instructed to stop serving or selling the recalled beef products and to alert customers who may have been served the contaminated products. Consumers should check their freezers to verify they do not have any recalled beef products in their possession, and should either return it their place of purchase or discards it to prevent further illness and contamination.

Customers with further questions regarding the recall or any products included may contact JBS Tolleson Consumer Hotline at 800-727-2333.