(WWJ) - Nearly 7,000 pounds of raw ground beef products were recalled this week after mounting concerns over possible E. coli contamination -- and some of those products were shipped to distributors in Michigan.
The recall, issued by Illinois-based Valley Meats, was announced this week after the company found ground beef products tested by a third-party company turned up positive for the E. coli O157:H7 strain.
According to an alert from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the raw beef products affected by the recall were shipped to distributors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Michigan.
Most of the affected products, produced on December 22, 2023, came in the form of beef patties in different sized boxes which were distributed to restaurants and other institutional users.
"FSIS is concerned that some product may be in institutional or restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants and institutions are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase," FSIS said.
So far, officials said there has been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of beef products affected by the recall.
The recalled products include:
• 12-lb. box package containing “ANGUS GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with product code 1208PL, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 7:36:38AM to 08:00:48AM.
• 16-lb. box packages containing “ANGUS GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with the product code 1253PL, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 7:25:50 AM to 08:00:36AM.
• 28-lb. box package containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72287, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 12:44:00PM to 12:54:32PM.
• 28-lb. box packaging containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72287, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamp 1:02:55PM.
• 24-lb. box packaging containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72284, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 1:10:09PM to 1:10:17PM.
• 13.5-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with product code 1103, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 1:41:55:55PM to 1:57:53PM.
• 20-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF” with product code 8515, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, and time stamps between 1:16:24PM to 1:31:15PM.
• 40-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF” with product code 8020VP, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, and time stamps between 1:34:54PM to 2:00:49PM.
In a prepared statement, FSIS classified E. coli O157:H7 as a "potentially deadly bacterium" and signs of infection include dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps for 2–8 days after exposure.
"While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)," FSIS added. "This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output."
Anyone who experiences these symptoms or has concerns about an injury or illness, should contact a healthcare provider.
As a reminder, consumers should continue to safely prepare their raw meat products, whether fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F.
"The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature," officials added.
For additional questions about the recall, you can contact Valley Meats at 309-799-7341, ext. 229 or email dmapes@valleymeatsllc.com.Consumers with food-related safety questions can call the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.