If you recently bought ground beef at Walmart, there's a chance it could be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a dangerous bacteria that can cause serious illness. Cargill Meat Solutions is recalling over 16,000 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated. It's time for a fridge and freezer check.
What Ground Beef Products Are Recalled?
The recalled ground beef products were produced on April 26th and 27th, 2024 and include the following
- 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117
- 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES" with lot code 118
- 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117
- 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" with lot code 118
- 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" with lot code 118
- 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES" with lot code 118
All recalled products have the USDA mark of inspection and establishment number "EST. 86P" on the packaging.
What to Do If You Bought Recalled Ground Beef
Do not consume the recalled ground beef. Throw it away or return it to Walmart for a full refund. You can also contact Cargill Meat Solutions Recall Hotline: 1-844-419-1574.
E. coli O157:H7 and Potential Health Risks
E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and dehydration within 2-8 days of exposure. While most people recover within a week, some can develop a serious kidney complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Safe Ground Beef Cooking Tips
Always cook ground beef to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) as measured by a food thermometer. You can find safe minimum cooking temperatures for all meat products on the USDA website.
