WASHINGTON — More than 16,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Walmart locations around the country have been recalled over possible E. coli contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed Wednesday.
The 16,243 pounds of raw meat were sold by Cargill Meat Solutions, a company based out of Pennsylvania. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said the ground beef was produced between April 26 and 27, and was packaged for a variety of products.
These are the recalled products:
- 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
- 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
- 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
- 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
- 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
- 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
All of the affected products have the establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of their product labels.
The recall was issued for products sold at Walmart stores across the country. In the U.S., there are approximately 4,615 Walmart locations.
Federal officials say they were told by the manufacturer about cross-contamination involving the beef and another undisclosed item that had been segregated during production.
That contamination possibly exposed the ground beef to E. coli bacteria.
E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that often spreads through fecal contamination, but can also pass from carrier to carrier through undercooked food and unpasteurized beverages.
Symptoms of E. coli infection include dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps, with symptoms starting around three to four days after infection on average. Most people recover within a week, but the bacteria can sometimes cause a type of kidney failure requiring emergency medical care.
Anybody who has purchased ground beef from Walmart since the contamination at the end of April is encouraged to check their meat to see if it's included in the recall.
If it is, the USDA recommends it be thrown out or returned to the store for a refund. It should not be eaten.