More Than 16,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Is Being Recalled Due to E. Coli Contamin

Alexandra Foster
·2 min read
Woman stirring ground beef in a frying pan
Credit: Brandy McKnight/Shutterstock Credit: Brandy McKnight/Shutterstock

Food recalls are on the rise affecting everything from shredded cheese to packaged basil. In fact, a recent report found that recalls are at an all-time high compared to pre-pandemic levels, forcing consumers to be more mindful of what they’re buying and eating. Well, the latest one may have you rethinking tonight’s dinner plans. If you were planning on making burgers or spaghetti Bolognese tonight, you may want to think twice.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced that more than 16,000 pounds of raw beef has been recalled due to potential E. coli contamination. The recall affects multiple beef products produced by Cargill Meat Solutions of Pennsylvania: ground beef, burger patties, angus ground beef, ground beef chuck, ground beef chuck patties, and ground beef sirloin patties.

<span> Credit: Jacqueline Klose</span> <span class="copyright">Credit: Jacqueline Klose</span>
Credit: Jacqueline Klose Credit: Jacqueline Klose

These products were sold at Walmart in the following locations: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York, and Washington, DC.

If you happen to live in one of these areas and recently purchased any of these products, the FSIS says do not cook with them. Throw them away immediately or return them to the store, regardless of whether they were stored in the refrigerator or freezer. You can also check the label to see if it has “EST. 86P” printed on the back, indicating the batch that’s believed to be contaminated. Cargill also set up a hotline, so if you have any additional questions, you can call this number: 1-844-419-1574.

E. coli is serious. It is a potential deadly bacteria that can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms including dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps that usually set in three to four days after infection. While most people will recover in a week, those that are at higher risk (such as children and the elderly) may experience more severe infection, which in rare cases can lead to kidney failure. If you believe you have been affected, seek help from a medical professional immediately.