On the 7th of June, 2023, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued a public announcement concerning an Illinois Salmonella outbreak. The product that is suspected to be at the center of the outbreak is ground beef. The Illinois state press release shared that, “a source of the ground beef has not yet been identified, but public health officials urge Illinois residents to follow safe food handling steps when preparing and eating ground beef. Ground beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F before eating and the temperature should be checked with a food thermometer.”
With summer festivities in full swing, it is important to be aware of the proper methods of handling ground beef and the dangers it can pose.
As of June 10, 2023, there have been 26 Salmonella cases confirmed in Northeast Illinois. These cases reportedly began as early as the 25th of April, with some occurring as late as the 18th of May. The locations of sick individuals have been recorded in the Illinois counties of Chicago, Will, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry.
As one National Food Poisoning Lawyer, Dr. Tony Coveny, affirmed, Salmonella is “…is a type of bacteria that causes salmonellosis, a foodborne illness that in rare cases can even be fatal if left untreated…Salmonella symptoms generally start anywhere from 12 hours to 72 hours after ingestion, and usually last one to two weeks. The symptoms typically include nausea, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, stomach cramps or pain, and bloody stool.” Individuals who find themselves experiencing these or any adverse symptoms, particularly after consumption of ground beef, should immediately contact their personal healthcare provider and alert the public health safety officials. “in rare instance,” says Coveny, “especially among the elderly and immunocompromised, medical attention is always warranted.”
As the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to investigate the link between ground beef and the Illinois Salmonella outbreak, consumers are encouraged to be vigilant in practicing food safety when dealing with all foods; particularly ground beef at this time.
