Over 58,000 Pounds Of Ground Beef Were Recalled For Potential Contamination

The beef was shipped to distributors in Georgia and two other states.

Right at the beginning of tailgate season, just when we’re thinking about preparing a round of Walking Tacos and setting up the slow-cooker full of Grape Jelly Meatballs, it’s unfortunately time to check the labels on your ground beef.

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) announced a recall of 58,281 pounds of raw ground beef because of potential exposure to E. coli. The affected product comes from American Foods Group LLC under the label of “Green Bay Dressed Beef.” A sample of the beef collected by a state public health partner tested positive for E. coli O103; FSIS was then notified of the potential contamination.

The specific bacteria strain that affects the recalled beef is “harder to identify” than other strains of E. coli, the USDA detailed in their report, and is not often tested for in clinical laboratories. “People can become ill…2-8 days (average 3-4 days) after consuming the organism,” the organization announced. Thankfully, there have not been any reported illnesses or adverse effects so far in connection to this recall.

The raw ground beef was shipped to distributors in Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio in 10-pound plastic tubes. The beef was processed on Aug. 14, 2023, and has an establishment number of EST. 18076 on the packaging. Here are the products to look out for:

• Approx. 80-lb. cases containing 10-lb. plastic tubes of “90050 Beef Fine Ground 81/19”

• Approx. 80-lb. cases containing 10-lb. plastic tubes of “20473 Beef Halal Ground 73/27”

• Approx. 80-lb. cases containing 10-lb. plastic tubes of “20105 Beef Fine Ground 73/27”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most individuals can recover from the harsh symptoms of E. coli within a week, but others can develop a severe infection or even experience kidney failure.

To ensure that you, your family, and your guests do not get sick, FSIS urges customers to return the affected beef to their point of purchase or toss it out. It’s a good reminder to practice safe preparation practices in your cooking, as well, especially if you’re carrying food around to fall gatherings or football games. (Here are some cooking tips your parents may have taught you that aren’t quite accurate.)

FSIS advises consumers to cook all fresh and frozen beef to an internal temperature of 160°F. “The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature,” the report states.

As you’re planning your menu, keep an eye out for any ground beef lurking in your fridge or freezer that may cause unexpected consequences. Just to be safe, maybe one of our other portable tailgate recipes could sub in a pinch. Smoky Snack Mix yields some extra flavor to kick-off, after all!

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