The U.S. Department of Agriculture is letting restaurant operators around the county know about the recall of 83 tons of ground beef that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria, E. coli.

Wolverine Packing of Detroit is recalling 167,277 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products distributed to restaurants nationwide.

As of Wednesday, 15 people in one state have become sick with E. coli O157:H7 after consuming contaminated ground beef. Illness onset dates range from Nov. 2 to Nov. 10, 2024.

The recall was initiated after the Food Safety and Inspection Service was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a cluster of illnesses linked to ground beef consumption. FSIS and Minnesota officials determined a connection between the illnesses and Wolverine Packing Co. products. A subsequent ground beef sample collected by Minnesota authorities tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.

FSIS is collaborating with Minnesota health officials on the ongoing investigation.

Fresh products have a "use by" date of Nov. 14, 2024, while frozen items are labeled with a production date of Oct. 22, 2024. All recalled products bear establishment number "EST. 2574B" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

E. coli can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps two to eight days (average three to four days) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Consumers experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.