Check what ground beef is in your freezer, the USDA advises

The products that may be contaminated include hamburger patties. | Photo: Shutterstock

Federal authorities are warning restaurants and food service establishments to check whether their frozen or ready-to-eat ground beef products came from a batch known to be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The chub and patties were supplied by Greater Omaha Packing Co. packed in containers with the location number “EST. 960A.” The labels also state that the meat must be used or frozen by April 22.

Greater Omaha alerted the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week that the dangerous strain of E. coli had been found in a batch of beef. Although the meat was subsequently quarantined, the company said some of it may have been accidentally mixed with ground beef products.

Sales of these products were halted, but authorities pointed out the possibility that some products have already reached restaurants and supermarkets. A list of the specific products can be found here.

The USDA’s meat safety division, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, said there have been no confirmed cases of people getting sick from the meat.

The suspect beef products were packed through Greater Omaha on March 28.

If a business or consumer has the meat in their possession, they should throw it away or return it to the seller, the FSIS said.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include diarrhea, dehydration and abdominal cramps. The bacteria are destroyed at temperatures of 160 degrees or higher.