Ground Beef Recalled Over Possible E. coli Contamination

 Ground Beef Recalled Over Possible E. coli Contamination

Wolverine Packing Co. has issued a recall of more than 167,000 pounds of ground beef distributed to restaurants nationwide due to potential E. coli contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Details of the Recall

The recalled beef products, linked to illnesses in Minnesota, were shipped fresh with a "use by" date of November 14 or frozen with a production date of October 22. Affected items bear the establishment number EST. 2574B in the USDA mark of inspection.

The FSIS has warned that some of the products may still be stored in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. All impacted products should be discarded or returned to suppliers and must not be consumed.

Reported Illnesses

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture notified the FSIS on November 13 after multiple cases of E. coli O157 infections were reported in individuals who consumed ground beef. On November 20, a beef sample collected in Minnesota tested positive for the bacteria.

Fifteen cases have been confirmed in Minnesota, with illnesses occurring between November 2 and November 10. E. coli contamination has been linked to one death and 15 hospitalizations across 18 states.

Symptoms of E. coli Infection

E. coli infections can cause symptoms such as:

• Severe stomach cramps
• Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• Fever
• Vomiting

Symptoms typically appear three to four days after exposure and most individuals recover within a week without treatment. However, severe cases can lead to kidney complications requiring hospitalization.

Company Response

In a statement, Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit-based family-owned business, expressed its commitment to food safety.

"We are working closely with the FSIS and have notified all customers who received the recalled products," the company said. "We are conducting an intensive internal audit to review suppliers and processes, ensuring rigorous quality control measures remain in place. Food and consumer safety are our highest priorities."

The company, which has been in operation for nearly 90 years, is cooperating with federal authorities to address the situation and prevent future incidents.

Consumers and restaurant operators are urged to take caution and follow the recall guidelines.