The beef was shipped to restaurants, meaning it was unlikely to be eaten at home, but the “use by” date was November 14, 2024. The manufacturing date for frozen beef products is 10/22/24. The list of recalled products is extensive and includes products such as ground beef patties, bulk ground chuck, and Angus steak burgers.
This is the class I remember, but according to the USDA, it means there is a “reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious adverse health effects or death.”
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture first discovered the problem after learning about a group of people in the state who became ill after eating ground meat, according to an alert issued by FSIS. Beef samples tested positive for E. coli O157, which has been linked to the disease.
However, FSIS notes that the product is being shipped to restaurants across the country, raising the possibility that people outside of Minnesota may also be affected.
What is E. coli?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of bacteria found in several places, including the intestines of people and animals. Many types of E. coli are harmless, but some can cause illness.
The specific type of E. coli in this recall is E. coli O157:H7, one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis (also known as gastroenteritis) in the United States, said Dr. says food safety expert Dr. Benjamin Chapman.
E. coli O157:H7 can produce a powerful toxin called Shiga toxin, which can cause serious food poisoning, explains Dr. Dallin Detwiler. D. is the author of Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predicted and a professor at Northeastern University. “Ingestion of this pathogen can cause symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and, in some cases, kidney failure, known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS),” Dr. Detweiler says. “This complication is especially life-threatening for vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.”
Professor Chapman points out that if E. coli O157:H7 is present in your food, you are very likely to get sick, and that “even small amounts of contamination can lead to illness.”
How does E. coli get into beef?
E. coli can enter beef in a variety of ways, including spreading from the cow’s intestines during slaughter. “E. coli O157:H7 is most commonly found in ruminants, where it occurs naturally within the flora of the animal gastrointestinal tract,” Professor Chapman points out.
Because E. coli infections usually result from contaminated meat, especially undercooked beef, it’s important to cook the beef to an internal temperature of at least 140°F (62.8°C), Detwiler says. . Ground meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 °F (71.1 °C).
What is happening now?
FSIS said in the alert that the agency is concerned that some beef products may still be in restaurant refrigerators and freezers. Restaurants that serve recalled beef are strongly encouraged to discard the product or return it to the place of purchase. If you are concerned about the possibility of consuming affected beef, you may want to take an abundance of caution and avoid menus containing beef for the next few weeks.
If you develop symptoms of an E. coli infection after eating beef, FSIS recommends contacting your health care provider for next steps.
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