Ground Beef Health Warning: FSIS Warns Consumers Across the U.S. Country of Risk of E. Coli Contamination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a nationwide public health alert due to possible E. coli contamination in ground beef products. Although there has not been a recall because the products in question are no longer for sale, the agency has issued a health warning for the Greater Omaha ground beef products. The alert warns of the possibility of contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a strain that can cause serious intestinal infections in humans.

FSIS lists products at risk for E. Coli contamination

In a statement released Saturday, the agency warned that the affected products were produced and packaged on March 28 with an expiration date of April 22. The agency adds that the said products have been shipped to restaurants and retailers across the country. The health warning has been issued for the following products:

10 lb. ground beef chub, 5 lb. ground beef chub, 5 lbs. ground beef chub, 5 lbs. ground beef patties, 4/8 oz ground beef patties, 4/8 oz ground beef patties, 4/7 oz ground beef patties, 6 oz ground beef patties, 5 lb. ground beef chub, 6/5.33 oz ground beef patties, 4/8 oz ground beef patties, 10 lb ground beef chub, 4/8 oz ground beef patties.

Why was the public health alert issued?

According to a statement from the agency, the company discovered a problem in inventorying products that had been put on hold due to a positive test for E. coli O157:H7. Greater Omaha then informed the agency that they had mistakenly used some of the contaminated beef in the production process of ground beef consumables, which were later shipped nationwide for sale.

FSIS is concerned that certain affected food products may be present in consumer freezers or at food service establishments. It therefore urges consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them, and food establishments not to serve them.

The agency adds that such products should be thrown away or returned to the store where they were purchased. FSIS further states that all consumers must safely prepare their raw meat products, whether fresh or frozen, including consuming ground meat only after it has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees F.