Colorado Ground Beef Recalled For E. Coli

COLORADO — Some 26,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to warehouses in Colorado and California was recalled Thursday because it may be contaminated with E. coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan, Colorado, notified the USDA Wednesday about the possibly tainted meat when the company discovered it may have been associated with other product that was "presumptive positive for E. coli," USDA officials said in a news release.

The recalled ground beef items are 10-pound chubs of Excel 93/7 Fine Grind Ground Beef with a use/freeze by date of Sept. 5, 2018 on the chub label, a pack date of Aug. 16, 2018 on the box label and "EST. 86R" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is concerned some of the product may be frozen and in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

"Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them," said Felicia Thompson of FSIS. "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase."

According to FSIS, the recalled meat may be tainted with E. coli O157:H7, a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps within two to eight days of consumption.

"While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)," Thompson said. "This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately."

As of Thursday afternoon, there were no confirmed reports of illness connected to the recalled meat.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider, Thompson said.

A list of which retailers received the recalled meat was not yet available Friday.

"USDA posts the list of products and locations on its site when it has that information," said Cargill Spokesman Michael Martin

"We ship to the retailer’s warehouses and they distribute to stores from those locations," Martin wrote in an emailed response to Patch.

Once compiled, the retail distribution list will be posted at Fsis.usda.gov. Additionally, Patch will update this post with the list.

Meanwhile, consumers with questions about the recall can call 844-419-1574.

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