The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for raw ground beef products produced by Greater Omaha Packing Co. on March 28, 2024, due to possible E. coli contamination. The products subject to the alert have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and a packaging date of “032824.” They also bear establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The affected products were shipped to food service institutions and retail locations nationwide. No confirmed illnesses have been reported, but consumers are urged to check their freezers for the affected products and discard or return them immediately.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps two to eight days after exposure. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is most common in children under 5 years old and older adults.
To prevent illness, consumers should practice safe food handling and cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.
Consumers with questions about the public health alert can contact Gina Adami, Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. representative, at 402-575-4702 or gadami@gmail.com.
