USDA Recalls 167,277 Pounds of Ground Beef Nationwide Over E…

If you’ve recently purchased some ground beef, then it’s time to check your fridge. 

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent out a recall notice for Wolverine Packing Co., a company out of Detroit, Michigan, which is recalling about 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli. 

According to the announcement, the issue was discovered when the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of people who had fallen ill after consuming the product on November 13, 2024. The FSIS then worked with the local health department to confirm the link between the illnesses and the product, and on Thursday, one of the samples collected tested positive for E. coli O157. 

As the UDSA noted, 15 people fell ill between November 2–10 and have been identified as part of this recall, but the FSIS is continuing to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on this investigation to see if there are more people linked to the recall.

The recalled products, which span more than 100 types of items, have a “use by” date of November 14, 2024, and the frozen products are labeled with a production date of Oct. 22, 2024. The products that are part of this recall all have the establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide. While the “use by” date has passed, the FSIS noted it “is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.” View the full list of labels here.

E. coli, the USDA explained, is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause a range of symptoms, including “dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps,” which usually presents two to eight days after exposure. It added, “While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.” 

Beyond this recall, the FSIS also advises everyone to safely prepare raw meats and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Those who believe they may have ingested contaminated products and are concerned about contracting the illness should contact their healthcare provider.