Wolverine Packing Co., based in Detroit, Michigan, has issued a recall of approximately 167,000 pounds of ground beef products due to potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a bacterium that can cause severe illness in certain populations.
Background
The contamination came to light after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on November 13, 2024 that a number of people had become sick after consuming ground beef products. FSIS was able to identify a connection between the illnesses and ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co.
On November 20, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of E. coli O157 in a ground beef sample collected during the outbreak investigation. So far, 15 individuals in one state have been identified, with illness onset reported between November 2 and November 10, 2024. FSIS is collaborating with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health to investigate further.
Distribution
The affected products were shipped to restaurants across the United States.
Product Details
- FSIS has an extensive list of all recalled products here
- The recalled fresh products have a Use By date of November 14, 2024
- The recalled frozen products are labeled with a production date of October 22, 2024
- All affected products bear establishment number “EST.2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection
Consumer Action
Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and freezers for the recalled items.
As with all food recalls, consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the affected products even if they look or smell safe to eat.
Anyone in possession of the recalled products – consumer, distributor, or retailer – is requested to not sell, serve, or distribute them.
Consumers should thoroughly sanitize any surface or utensils that have come into contact with the impacted products.
The products should be returned to the place of purchase or thrown away immediately.
Consumers with additional questions or concerns can contact Don Tanner, Wolverine Packing Co. company representative, at 248-762-1533.
Health Risks
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), E. coli are bacteria and are found inhabiting diverse environments such as soil, water sources, and the digestive systems of humans and animals. They’re also frequently found in various food items.
The majority of E. coli strains are not harmful and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut ecosystem by assisting in breaking down the food, contributing to the production of essential vitamins, and acting as a defense mechanism against more dangerous microorganisms.
However, not all E. coli are benign. Certain strains can cause a range of health issues in humans, including gastrointestinal distress resulting in diarrhea, infections of the urinary tract, respiratory ailments like pneumonia, and even severe systemic infections such as sepsis. Symptoms generally appear two to five days after exposure but can emerge anywhere from one to eight days later. Most people recover within 5-10 days.
Of particular concern, however, is the potential for some patients to develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure, neurological damage, and in extreme cases, death. This risk makes early medical intervention crucial for infected individuals.
Outbreaks of E. coli have featured widely in the news over the last several weeks:
- A large-scale outbreak of E. coli linked to fresh, slivered onions primarily served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has so far sickened 104 people across 14 states and has led to 34 hospitalizations and one death.
- This week, an E. coli outbreak tied to select whole carrots and organic baby carrots was announced. To date, 39 illnesses have been reported, with 15 of those requiring hospitalization, and one recorded death. One lawsuit has already been filed against Grimmway Farms, a California company that grew the contaminated carrots.
- Another E. coli outbreak tied to hamburgers from two restaurants in Minnesota was also announced this week. So far, 11 people have been affected with two of those requiring hospitalization. This contaminated beef from this outbreak has been linked to the Wolverine Packing Co. recall.
Commenting on this article, one national E. coli lawyer said, “Because E. coli infections have the potential to cause Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, I urge all consumers in possession of any recalled beef product item to throw it out right away and sanitize all surfaces that the product may have touched.”
