E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination Leads to Ground Beef Recall

About 378,000 pounds of ground beef have been recalled in California and Nevada after testing determined it may be contaminated with E. coli, posing a potentially serious food poisoning risk.   

The Commercial Meat Co. ground beef recall was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on October 11, after routine testing found E. coli O157:H7 in the ground beef.

Although there have been no illnesses reported in connection to the recalled ground beef, E. coli O157:H7 is one of the more common causes of food poisoning in the United States.

The recall affects about 377,775 pounds of Commercial Meat Co. ground beef products sold in 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60-pound bulk cases; 5, 10 and 20-pound cases of ground beef patties; 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50-pound cases of ground beef taco; and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60-pound cases of ground beef chili. All of the cases have a USDA mark of inspection label with the establishment number “EST. 4873” inside.

All of the recalled meat was produced between September 7 and October 11, and was shipped to restaurants and establishments in Nevada and California.

The Commercial Meat recall is the second large ground beef recall in less than a month. On September 27, 130,000 pounds of Tyson Ground Beef was recalled. That recall was also due to E. coli bacteria. However, the illnesses of at least four children have been traced back to that recall.

When left untreated, E. coli O157:H7 food poisoning can lead to dehydration and potentially life-threatening illness. While most healthy adults recover from food poisoning caused by E. coli within a few weeks, young children and the elderly could be at risk for more severe illness. If the toxin enters the blood stream, E. coli could also lead to kidney failure known as Hemolytic-Urenia Syndrome (HUS).

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company at (213) 622-6997.