A food distributor in Pennsylvania is recalling about eight tons of ground beef because the meat might contain E. coli.
Packages of the beef, produced last month by Cargill Meat Solutions, were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide, according to a recall notice.
Cargill Meat did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
E. coli is a potentially deadly bacteria that often causes dehydration, bloody stool and stomach cramps in humans. The bacteria typically strikes three or four days after a person consumes food tainted with E. coli. Most people recover from exposure within a week, the USDA said, but some who get infected — particularly children — can suffer from kidney failure.
Last month, walnuts sold at Whole Foods were recalled because of potential contamination with E. coli, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
The beef products recalled by Cargill come in six different forms. They include:
- All Natural Lean Ground Beef with lot code 117 (2.25 pounds)
- Prime Rib Beef Steak Burgers Patties with lot code 118 (1.33 pounds)
- Fat All Natural Angus Premium Ground Beef with lot code 117 (2.25 pounds)
- Fat All Natural Ground Beef Chuck with lot code 118 (2.25 pounds)
- Fat All Natural Ground Beef Chuck Patties with lot code 118 (1.33 pounds)
- Fat All Natural Good Beef Sirloin Patties with lot code 118 (1.33 pounds)
All of these products bear a USDA mark of inspection on the front of the packaging and establishment number "EST. 86P" on the back. Consumers who have purchased these beef products are advised to either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase. For any inquiries regarding the recall, individuals can contact Cargill at 1-844-419-1574.
This recall by Cargill is the second significant beef recall this year linked to an E. coli risk. In January, the USDA issued a recall for nearly 7,000 pounds of ground beef from Valley Meats of Illinois, which had been distributed regionally to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan.
