Ground Beef Recalled Due to E. Coli Contamination

More than 60,000 pounds of ground beef from the National Beef Packing Co. has been recalled because of the risk of E. coli food poisoning. 

The ground beef recall was announced on August 12 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after Ohio health department inspectors found contamination by E. coli O157:H7 during a routine inspection of one of National Beef Packing Co.’s products. There have been no food poisoning reports linked to the contaminated beef.

The recall affects 60,424 pounds of National Beef ground beef chubs produced on July 23, 2011, with a Freeze by Date of August 12, 2011, and ground beef chubs produced on July 25, 2011 with a Freeze by Date of August 14, 2011. All of the affected beef has an establishment number “Est. 262” in the USDA mark of inspection.

A full list of products affected by the recall is available in the FSIS recall notice. The FSIS has also provided a full retail distribution list (pdf). The meat was shipped to Kroger, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Winn Dixe and Publix stores nationwide. The FSIS warns that the ground beef may have been repackaged for sale to consumers.

E. coli O157:H7 is one of the more common causes of food poisoning in the United States. When left untreated, it 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 can contact the company by calling (816)713-8631.