contaminant that can cause severe illnesses, including urinary tract infections, anemia, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The USDA advises against consuming or serving ground beef products that have been subject to the public health alert until further notice. Although a recall was not requested, as the products are no longer available for purchase, the agency is urging caution.
The raw ground beef items in question were produced on March 28, 2024, and have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, with a packaging date of “032824.” These products bear the establishment number “EST. 960A” within the USDA mark of inspection and were distributed nationwide to food service institutions and retail locations. The list of products subject to the public health alert can be found on the FSIS website.
The press release from the USDA connects the contamination to Greater Omaha Packing Co. LLC, who discovered the issue while conducting an inventory of products on hold due to a positive test result for E. coli O157:H7. The company promptly notified FSIS that contaminated beef had been shipped into commerce accidentally.
E. coli O157:H7 is a dangerous contaminant that can cause severe illnesses, including urinary tract infections