The USDA has announced the recall of more than one-and-a-half tons of ground beef that may be contaminated.

Kansas-based Elkhorn Valley Packing is recalling 3,436 pounds of boneless beef chuck product that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

In addition to Pennsylvania, the recalled meat was shipped to distributors, federal establishments, retail locations, and wholesale locations, which include hotels, restaurants, and institutions, in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.

The problem was discovered when routine FSIS testing confirmed positive for STEC O103. According to the company, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products.

Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103, because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7. People can become ill from STECs 2–8 days (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 are 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.

Distributors and other customers who have purchased the products for further processing should not use or distribute them. The products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Various weights corrugated boxes containing “Elkhorn Valley Pride Angus Beef 61226 BEEF CHUCK 2PC BNLS; Packed on 2/16/23.”

The product subject to recall bears the establishment number “EST. M-19549” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The boneless beef chuck items were packed on Feb. 16, 2023.

The complete list of serial numbers and box count numbers for the boneless beef chuck product subject to recall can be found here.