Ground beef sold at Walmart in Florida, US recalled for possible E. coli. What you should do

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Updated ·5 min read

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued another recall for ground beef due to possible contamination with E. coli.

The beef was sold at Walmart stores in Florida and across the U.S.

The recall comes days after an announcement a lot of Martinelli’s apple juice sold by several Florida retailers was being recalled over concerns of high arsenic levels.

Wednesday's beef recall also is the second time in less than a month U.S. residents have been warned about ground beef possibly contaminated by E.coli.

A public health alert was issued in April for ground beef that could have been contaminated with E. coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The beef was sold to retail locations and food service institutions across Florida and the United States.

Here's what you should know about the latest recall and what you should do if you purchased the ground beef.

Was Walmart beef recalled for E. coli?

The FDA announced May 1, 2024, Cargill Meat Solutions is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.
The FDA announced May 1, 2024, Cargill Meat Solutions is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

Cargill Meat Solutions, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is recalling about 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Wednesday, May 1.

How do I know if my beef was recalled?

The raw ground beef items were produced on April 26-27, 2024. The following products are subject to recall: ➤ See labels of each tray

  • 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

  • 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

  • 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

  • 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

  • 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

  • 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

The beef all have the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the product label, and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the product label.

What stores were affected by the ground beef recall?

The FDA announced May 1, 2024, Cargill Meat Solutions is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.
The FDA announced May 1, 2024, Cargill Meat Solutions is recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

The ground beef was shipped to Walmart retail locations nationwide.

There are 341 Walmart stores in Florida.

How was the beef contaminated with E. coli?

Cargill reported the problem to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service "after they identified that previously segregated product had been inadvertently utilized in the production of ground beef."

The circumstances were very similar to the public health notice issued in April when the Greater Omaha Packing Co. company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef — which was "on hold" for E. coli — to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped.

Has anyone gotten sick from eating the contaminated ground beef?

"There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider," the USDA said.

What should you do if you bought the possibly contaminated ground beef?

The USDA said it was concerned that some beef may still be in people's refrigerators or freezers.

If you bought the beef, you're urged not to consume it but to either throw it away or return the package to where you bought it.

Have questions about the recall?

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Cargill Meat Solutions at 1-844-419-1574.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli, usually abbreviated as E. coli, are bacteria that normally live in the intestines of people and animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While most E. coli are harmless and actually are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract, some can cause illness.

The types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or persons.

What are symptoms of E. coli infections?

The time between ingesting the bacteria and feeling any symptoms is usually three to four days after exposure, but may be as short as one day or as long as 10 days, the CDC said.

Symptoms often begin slowly with mild belly pain or non-bloody diarrhea that worsens over several days.

The symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections vary for each person but often include:

  • Severe stomach cramps

  • Diarrhea that is often bloody

  • Vomiting

  • If there is fever, it usually is not very high, less than 101 degrees.

Most people get better within five to seven days, but some infections can be severe or life-threatening, the CDC said.

Can you prevent E. coli infections?

Here are suggestions from the CDC to prevent infections:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food.

  • Wash your hands after contact with animals or their environments (at farms, petting zoos, fairs, even your own backyard).

  • Cook meats thoroughly. Ground beef and meat that has been needle-tenderized should be cooked to a temperature of at least 160 degrees and use a thermometer to make sure. Color is not a reliable indicator of "doneness."

  • Avoid raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices.

  • Avoid swallowing water when swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, and backyard “kiddie” pools.

  • Prevent cross-contamination in food preparation areas by thoroughly washing hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Walmart beef recall: packages shipped nationwide. How to know