7,000 lbs of Ground Beef Recalled Amidst E.Coli Alert
An Illinois-based meat producer, ‘Valley Meats’, has recalled nearly 7,000 pounds of ground beef due to the presence of a potentially harmful bacterium. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently disclosed that 6,768 pounds of raw ground beef, manufactured by Valley Meats, LLC, on December 22, 2023, may be contaminated with E. coli.
The recall was initiated by FSIS on January 1 regarding the meat that was distributed by Valley Meats in areas of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan. It was suspected that the said amount of contaminated meat may be stored in institutional or restaurant refrigerators or present in freezers. As a precautionary measure, FSIS strongly advised restaurants and institutions not to serve these products, emphasizing that they should be disposed of or returned to the place of purchase.
#Alert Valley Meats, LLC, Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination https://t.co/TaMYmndi3H
— USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service (@USDAFoodSafety) December 31, 2023
In a formal statement, FSIS specified that the recalled products of ground beef bear the establishment number “EST. 5712” inside the USDA mark of inspection. As a part of the distribution process, these products were bifurcated between locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa. From there, the items were further allocated to different restaurants and other customers
These items were shipped to distributor locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan for further distribution to restaurants and other institutional users.
Regarding the potential health risks associated with the contamination, FSIS explained, “E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism.” While most individuals recover within a week, some may develop a form of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Although this illness can affect people of any age, elderly adults and children under the age of five are more likely to experience its symptoms. Pallor, easy bruising, and decreased urine production are some of the symptoms. FSIS strongly recommends that anyone exhibiting these symptoms get emergency medical attention right away.
