US-based Cargill recalls ground meat over e-coli scare
An epidemiological investigation identified 17 illnesses and one death, with illness onset dates ranging from 5 July to 25 July 2018.
The ground beef items were produced and packaged on 21 June 2018 and were made from the chuck portion of the carcase, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products have been urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 86R” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
On 16 August 2018, FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O26 illnesses. FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health and agriculture partners determined that raw ground beef was the probable source of the reported illnesses.
The Cargill Meat Solutions’ ground beef products were identified following further investigation. FSIS’ traceback information indicated that case-patients consumed ground beef products purchased at various retail stores that were supplied by Cargill Meat Solutions.
Most people infected with STEC O26 develop diarrhoea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe, FSIS said.
Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment with most people recovering within a week. FSIS said Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is common. HUS can occur in people of any age, but is most common in children under five years old, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.
