Ground Beef Sold Nationwide Recalled Over Possible E.Coli Contamination

Nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef being sold at Walmart and other stores is being recalled because of possible E.coli contamination.

The agency has asked anyone who purchased the recalled items to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. It is important to not consume the potentially contaminated products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Saturday (June 14) that the New Jersey-based Lakeside Refrigerated Services is recalling 42,922 pounds of ground beef produced on June 1 due to possible E.coli contamination.

The products affected by the recall were shipped to retail stores nationwide, including Walmart, and were sold under brand names including Thomas Farms and Marketside Butcher. The recalled products have establishment number "EST. 46841" in the USDA mark of inspection, with the specific use-by dates and lot codes listed below. You can read the agency's news release here. The agency also provided some photos of the product labels, which can be viewed here.

• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.
• 3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
• 1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
• 4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing “VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.

The late Saturday announcement was classified as Class I recall, which signifies a "reasonable probability" that using a certain product can result in serious health consequences or even death. An E.coli infection can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and abdominal cramps for several days.

Although most people can recover from it, some may experience a life-threatening complication called the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Signs that someone is developing HUS includes decreased urination, feeling tired and losing the pink color in the cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.

Other symptoms to take note of are diarrhea that lasts for more than three days, diarrhea with fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting so much that the individual can no longer keep liquids down and blood in the stool.

Only recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. FDA and state officials monitored a multi-state E.coli oubreak linked to clover sprouts. While the CDC noted in April that the outbreak appeared to be over, consumers, retailers and restaurants are still being advised to follow food safety practices to avoid foodborne illnesses.

Regarding the current recall, the FSIS is advising consumers to always prepare meats properly, whether fresh or frozen. This includes cooking ground beef to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, heat that is high enough to kill potentially harmful bacteria.

So far, there have not been any reports of adverse reactions from consuming the recalled products, but anyone who is concerned about possible related illness or injury should contact their healthcare provider.