Recall Placed on E. Coli Contaminated Ground Beef from Texas Processor
A ground beef recall has been issued for a natural beef product originating from Texas.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on June 20 that approximately 489 pounds of frozen raw, ground beef was contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103. The product originated from Texas Natural Meats, in Lott, Texas, and was processed on Aug. 8, 2017.
The product information and labeling for the frozen beef reads as follows:
- 1.00-lb. bags of “Green Field Farms Rogers Texas Ground Beef.” The bags display the “PRODUCTION DATE 08.08.2017” and also display the “EXPIRATION DATE 08.08.2020.” The bags are labeled “COOK USE ONLY” with the instruction “DO NOT refreeze after defrosting.”
Product was shipped to a retailer and was subsequently sold at a farmer’s market in Roger, Texas. The ground beef bears the establishment number “EST. 34449” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The contaminated beef was discovered on June 19 by FSIS during routine inspection activities.
People who consume STEC contaminated food can be ill for 2-8 days and develop diarrhea and vomiting. The illness can last longer in some cases and be more severe.
While the product is nearly a year old, FSIS has concerns that there may still be frozen beef in consumers’ freezers. FSIS advises people to throw out any contaminated product from the recall.
Officials with FSIS also implore people to safely handle raw meat products and to only eat ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. Food thermometers should also be used to verify the internal temperature of the meat has reached a high enough level to kill any harmful bacterial like E. coli.
