The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The alert specifically targets raw ground beef produced by Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. on March 28, 2024.
Although the recalled beef products are no longer available for purchase, the USDA is warning consumers and food service institutions who may still have the product in their freezers. The products in question have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and a packaging date of “032824.”
The issue was discovered by the company during an inventory check of products that were on hold due to E. coli contamination. The contaminated beef was inadvertently used to produce ground beef products that were then shipped into commerce.
As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of illness related to the consumption of these products. However, the CDC warns that E. coli can cause diarrhea, especially in vulnerable populations such as older adults, young children, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. Consumers are advised to discard any of the affected products or return them to the place of purchase. Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. has not yet responded to requests for comment on the issue.