Wolverine Packing Co. Issues Major Beef Recall Following E. coli Outbreak
By Theresa Braine, New York Daily News (TNS)
Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. has issued a substantial recall of nearly 84 tons of ground beef products, affecting restaurants nationwide after a potential E. coli contamination resulted in 15 reported illnesses. The recall pertains to 167,277 pounds of ground beef, including hamburger patties and other products, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Wednesday.
The recalled items, which have a “use by” date of November 14, 2024, include both fresh and frozen products, specifically those produced on January 22, 2024, and labeled with the establishment number “EST.2574B” inside the USDA mark. The outbreak was detected between November 2 and November 10, leading the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to investigate after multiple individuals reported consuming the implicated beef prior to falling ill.
While the majority of initial cases were linked to Red Cow restaurants and one case at Hen House Eatery in downtown Minneapolis, further illnesses emerged, leaving investigators unsure of the additional sources. Following testing, the FSIS identified a direct correlation between the E. coli illnesses and the ground beef produced by Wolverine Packing Co.
FSIS is urging restaurants to thoroughly check their inventories for any recalled products, noting the risk that some may remain in storage. Restaurant staff are advised not to serve these items and to either discard or return them to the point of purchase. The consumer safety agency emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating its concern over potential undetected products in restaurant freezers and refrigerators.
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