Beef contaminated with the potentially deadly E. coli bacteria was being used in ground beef products sent to retail stores and “food service organizations,” according to a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service public health alert Saturday night. .
It wasn't clear in the warning what retailers and “food service establishments” exactly meant, nor did the Greater Omaha Packing Company make it clear on its website or social media. The Herald left email and phone messages with the company.
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What we know: “This issue was discovered by the facility while conducting an inventory of product that had been withheld due to a positive E. coli O157:H7 test,” the USDA alert states. “The company notified FSIS that it mistakenly used some of the contaminated beef to manufacture ground meat products that were sent to customers.”
This form of E. coli causes bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting for five to seven days. According to the CDC, approximately 5-10% of people with O157:H7 develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a type of kidney failure and can cause E. coli to cause deadly food poisoning.
Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees to eliminate the threat of E. coli.
The ground meat patty chubs and packs listed with the warning were manufactured and packaged on March 28th and have a best before or freeze date of Monday April 22nd. These include ground beef and ribs. A blend of brisket and chuck.
Consumers with further questions about this alert should contact Gina Adami at Greater Omaha Packing at gadami@gmail.com or 402-575-4702.
