A public health alert has been issued for several Hawaii Big Island Beef products due to potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued the public health report after finding traces of E. coli O157:H7 during routine testing of production records. The company found that it was not necessary to issue a recall because the products are no longer being sold; however, consumers who have previously purchased the product and frozen it for later use are still at risk. The contaminated ground beef was produced on August 8, 2022, and distributed to Hawaiian retailers and restaurants. All products have the establishment number “EST. 1063” inside the USDA symbol. No illnesses have been reported due to consuming Hawaii Big Island Ground Beef Products, though coincidentally there has been a recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak with no known source in Michigan and Ohio with 29 reported illnesses and 9 hospitalizations.
The following products are believed to be potentially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7:
- 1-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 1#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R1”.
- 1-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (Ln) Fine 1#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “135R1”.
- 2-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 2#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R2”.
- 10-lb. bags containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10# Poly Bag” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “0134P10”.
- 10-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (75) Fine 10# Vac Seal” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “130R10”.
- 10-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10# Vac Seal” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R10”.
- 40-lb. box containing four 10-lb chubs of “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10#” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “0134”.
Consumers who have purchased one of the above products are advised to not ingest the ground beef; rather, throw them away immediately or return them to the store of purchase for a refund. For any questions or concerns regarding the contamination, General Manager of Hawaii Beef Producers, LLC, Matt Fornoff can be reached at (808) 776-1109.
The majority of E. coli bacteria are harmless and found abundantly in the human intestinal track to aid in the process of digestion, whereas Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) produce a toxin harmful to the human body. According to the CDC, STEC infection symptoms generally emerge 3 to 4 days after ingesting the bacteria and broadly consist of vomiting, diarrhea which can be bloody, severe stomach cramps, and a low grade fever. Symptoms of a STEC infection customarily resolve within 5 to 7 days without necessitating treatment, though some STEC infections can lead to further complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Consumers are advised to seek medical attention if they have been experiencing diarrhea or bloody diarrhea with a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit for more 3 days, or if they are vomiting so profusely that they cannot keep liquids down and have decreased urination.
