Walmart, Giant Eagle included in ground beef recall over contamination concern
Walmart and Giant Eagle have announced that their stores are included in the recall of 60 tons of beef products that could be contaminated with E. coli.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced the recall of 120,872 pounds of beef produced by Lakeside Refrigerated Services, of Swedesboro, N.J.
Included in the recall are Marketside Butcher Wagyu Beef Patties, which were sold at all Walmart stores in the Valley.
Giant Eagle announced that Thomas Farms Kobe Ground Beef Patties were sold at their stores.
The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing of imported products. There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products.
Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli such as O103 because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7.
People can become ill from STECs for 2–8 days (an average of 3–4 days) after consuming the organism.
Most people infected with STEC O103 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe.
Infection is usually diagnosed by testing a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but, rarely, some develop a more severe infection.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is uncommon with STEC O103 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults, and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
The products that are subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The ground beef products were produced from February 1, 2022, through April 8, 2022.
The complete list of products and product codes for the beef products that are subject to recall can be found here.
Labels for the ground beef products can be found here.
FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to eat them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.