USDA FSIS Issue Public Health Alert for Possible E. coli contamination of P&S Raw Beef Ravioli
On May 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) declared a public health warning on 70 pounds of P&S Ravioli Company’s raw beef ravioli products for possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. P&S Ravioli is a company based in Philadelphia, PA. The company has not requested a recall due to the fact that the products of concern have already been removed from all retail stores. Nevertheless, the FSIS is concerned that some customers may still be storing the products in their freezers. Anyone in possession of frozen P&S raw beef ravioli should not consume it but throw it away.
The products of concern were produced on April 30, 2020 and shipped to select retail stores in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They were sold in 13-oz. boxes with the label of “P&S RAVIOLI COMPANY 12 JUMBO MEAT RAVIOLI” . The packaging bears the use-by date of 11/30/2020 and lot code 20121. The establishment number “EST. 2736” is labeled inside the USDA mark of inspection. An image of the label can be viewed here.
When P&S Ravioli Company was first notified by their third-party testing laboratory that one of the samples had tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, the other products produced during the same day had already been shipped to various retail stores. At this point, the company notified the FSIS to issue a public health alert and the retail stores to halt the selling of the products.
E. coli O157:H7 is known as a Shiga toxin-producing strain of E. coli. It is most commonly spread through contaminated food and drink. This type of E. coli can pose a particular threat for dangerous complications like Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which is the destruction of blood vessels in the kidney, leading to kidney failure. However, HUS and other major complications only occur in 5-10% of those who become infected with STEC O157 and furthermore, generally occur in those with previously weakened immune systems.
There have been no reported cases of illness related to the products of concern. Anyone who has consumed P&S raw beef ravioli and experiences adverse symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
To insure you and your family’s safety from harmful bacteria, whether preparing fresh or frozen raw beef products, always check that the food is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F using a meat thermometer.
