H&B Packing E. Coli Recall: 30 Tons Boneless Beef Tainted by E. coli O103

H&B Packing E. Coli Recall: More than 30 Tons Beef Subject to Recall for E. coli

Waco-based H&B Packing Co., Inc. has issued a recall of at least 30 tons of beef on Sunday, March 19^th, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found E. coli in the meat.  According to FSIS, about 73,742 pounds of beef product, boneless, was implicated.  The Waco, Texas-based H&B Packing Co., Inc. was founded in 1953 by Henry Heyman and Jake Bauer (Henry’s son-in-law), and states on its webpage:

“We stand behind our products with pride, and strive to make sure our customers are provided with safe and wholesome beef products. Our facility operates under a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) scheme, as well as under USDA FSIS continuous inspection.”

The H&B Packing E. Coli recall began when one of those inspections, conducted by the State of Texas’ Meat Safety Assurance Unit, identified the rare strain of E. coli (noted as non-O157) infecting a routine sample of the beef.  The strain was further analyzed and identified as E. coli O103, a rare form of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli that causes the same side effects as the more common E. coli O157:H7, which is often identified with bloody diarrhea and, sometimes, can cause very serious kidney injury. The incubation period for this strain of E. coli is usually but 2-8 days after consumption.

And while E. coli O157 is relatively easy to identify in a stool culture, the standard tests do not pick up E. coli O103.  As such, people who consume this product might become very ill, with bloody diarrhea, and yet not test positive for E. coli.  Further testing will likely confirm the presence of Shiga toxin and, if advanced testing is performed, the strain of E. coli O103 might be confirmed.

As of now, according to FSIS and company statements, no human illnesses have been confirmed.  It is uncertain if any labs are pending for probable cases at this time.  Cooking meat thoroughly can greatly reduce the chances that consumers will acquire E. coli O103, but cross contamination and handling the raw meat can spread the bacteria to other foods or food surfaces,

H&B Packing E. Coli Recall Currently Limited to Certain Products:

As a food poisoning lawyer, experience tells us that many of the recalls continue to expand after the initial announcement.  But as of now, the recall is limited to boxes and combo bins of boneless beef that bear a case code of 69029 and production date of 03/06/17.  The products will bear the establishment number, which is found inside the USDA mark of inspection, “EST.M13054.”

H&B Packing E. Coli Recall Issued by a Family Owned and Operated Company Dedicated to Safe Food Production

Henry Heyman and Jake Bauer (H&B) started the company in 1953 making sausage products in what they refer to as a residential “makeshift smokehouse,” selling the sausage in Waco.  The company thereafter expanded to the North side of the Brazos River, near the famous Waco Suspension bridge that was a part of the Chisholm Trail.

The company is still operated by its president, Jake Bauer. According to the H&B website, his wife and two sons work as treasurer, VP of Production, and VP of Operations.  Grandchildren also work at the company.  The company’s stated goal is “to provide our customers and consumer base with the best that beef has to offer. We have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to our products, and you can be sure that we strive everyday to produce a safe and safe and wholesome product for all to enjoy wholesome product for all to enjoy.”

For more information about the H&B Packing E. Coli Recall or to talk to an experienced, qualified e. coli lawyer call 1-888-335-4901.