Two companies recalled large amounts for ground beef for possible E. coli, and public health officials are testing the meat to find out whether it’s linked to an ongoing E. coli outbreak. The USDA warned that additional product may be recalled in the continuing investigation.
K2D Foods, which does business as Colorado Premium Foods, recalled about 113,000 pounds of raw ground beef that maybe contaminated with E. coli O103, also blamed for the outbreak. Grant Park Packing, of Franklin Park, Ill., recalled about 53,000 pounds of raw ground beef that also may have E. coli O103, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.
The outbreak involves a strain of E. coli O103 that infected more than 150 people in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In both of the recently announced recalls, public health officials collected unopened packages from locations where multiple “case patients” ate. The product tested positive for E. coli O103, but there is no definitive link at this time between the products and the ongoing outbreak, FSIS says.
Further traceback and product analysis continue to determine if the recalled products are related to the outbreak, according to the agency.
Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103 because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7, FSIS explains.
K2D Foods, of Carrolton, Ga., produced the recalled beef March 26, March 29, April 2, April 5, April 10 and April 12, 2019. The products come in two 24-lb. vacuum-packed packages in cardboard boxes that say “ground beef puck” with use-by dates listed as 4/14/19, 4/17/19, 4/20/19, 4/23/19, 4/28/19 and 4/30/19.
The boxes have establishment number Est. 51308 inside the USDA mark of inspection. The meat was shipped to distributors in Ft. Orange, Fla., and Norcross, Ga., for further distribution to restaurants.
Grant Park Packing produced its recalled beef Oct. 30-31, 2018, and Nov. 1, 2018. The products are 40-lb. bulk cardboard boxes of North Star Imports & Sales LLC 100% ground beef, 80% lean/20% fat. Boxes are marked “for institutional use only,” with lot code GP.1051.18 and pack dates listed as 10/30/2018, 10/31/2018 and 11/01/2018.
The products have establishment number Est. 21781 inside the USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to Minnesota for further distribution and to Kentucky for institutional use.
FSIS advises locations with recalled meat, possibly in freezers, to throw it away or return it.
People with questions on the recalls can contact Darrin Bosell, manager, Grant Park Packing, at 312-421-4096. For the Colorado Premium Foods recall, contact Ashley Barnes, customer service director, at 970-313-4400.
