A large-scale ground beef recall has been initiated after an E. coli outbreak involving multiple restaurants in Minnesota. Wolverine Packing Company, based in Detroit, is recalling more than 167,000 pounds, or 83.5 tons, of ground beef distributed nationwide following 15 confirmed illnesses.
Minnesota health officials first alerted federal authorities on November 13 after identifying a contaminated beef sample. The outbreak primarily impacted restaurants in the Twin Cities area, with most cases centered in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Olmsted counties.
An investigation revealed that at least 10 cases were linked to Red Cow restaurant locations, while an additional case was reported at Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis. The contaminated beef was consumed between October 31 and November 7.
Patient demographics show a wide age range, from 9 to 70 years old, with two people requiring hospitalization.
The affected ground beef products can be identified by the establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA inspection mark.
Multiple government agencies, including the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, along with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, are collaborating to investigate and contain the outbreak.
While many strains of E. coli are harmless, others are known for causing severe gastrointestinal illness. Typical symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and potential low-grade fever. These symptoms typically emerge two to five days after exposure, though the range can be as soon as one day to up to eight days.
While most of those infected recover within five to 10 days, approximately 5 percent of infections can develop into Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. Medical professionals advise against treating E. coli infections with antibiotics due to increased HUS risk.
Minnesota typically reports around 100 E. coli cases annually. Health officials recommend that individuals who suspect infection seek medical attention promptly.
Restaurants are urged to search their freezers for the impacted products and ensure that they are not served to customers. Any recalled product should be thrown away immediately or returned to place of purchase.
Commenting on this article, national E. coli lawyer Dr. Tony Coveny of Ron Simon & Associates, a food safety law firm representing over 52 families affected by the recent McDonald’s onion E. coli outbreak, said “E. coli infection has a number of common symptoms including stomach pain, nausea, and fatigue. Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to food contaminated with E. coli should contact their doctor immediately for an evaluation.”
