Potential E. coli Contamination of Ground Beef in HelloFresh Meal Kits Distributed Between July 2-21, 2022
On September 10, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert due to the potential contamination of ground beef with E. coli O157:H7 in certain HelloFresh meal kits. HelloFresh is a meal kit company based in Berlin, Germany. HelloFresh is the largest provider of meal kits in the U.S. A food recall has not been issued because the products of concern are no longer available for purchase. However, customers of HelloFresh are urged to check if they may still have some of the potentially contaminated beef in their freezer and in the case that they do, health officials say that it should be thrown out.
The meal kits with the beef that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria were distributed between July 2-21, 2022. The beef included in the public health alert is packaged in 10-oz. plastic vacuum-sealed packages, labeled “GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN/15% FAT” with the codes “EST#46841 L1 22 155” or “EST#46841 L5 22 155” on the side of the packaging. The ground beef bears the establishment number “EST.46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection and on the plastic package. To view the ground beef’s label click here.
The issue was discovered when multiple people began falling ill with what was identified to be E. coli O157:H7 infection. Traceback information conducted by state and local health officials determined that several of the ill people had received and eaten beef that was produced at establishment M46841and distributed by HelloFresh in meal kits between July 2-21, 2022. Further investigation concerning the processing of the ground beef and its suppliers will be conducted in the coming days, in order to determine the cause of the contamination.
In the meantime, health officials urge consumers to practice the necessary steps to safely prepare, cook, and store ground beef at home. When preparing ground beef, such as making hamburger patties, always be careful not to splatter juices or touch other surfaces or utensils after handling raw ground beef. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that ground beef is cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160 F. Finally, always refrigerate cooked ground beef within an hour of having cooked it for optimum storage safety.
For updated information on the public health alert regarding the potential E. coli contamination of ground beef in HelloFresh meal kits, please visit the USDA’s website.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/ground-beef-hellofresh-meal-kits-e-coli-rcna47304
