The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a nationwide alert regarding ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli.
The affected ground beef was produced on March 28, 2024, and has a use-by or freeze-by date of April 22, 2024. The products bear the inspection mark “EST. 960A”.
The contamination was detected by the beef’s producers during an inventory. To date, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of the affected products.
FSIS advises consumers who have purchased these products to discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase. Food service institutions are also urged not to serve the products.
E. coli bacteria can cause serious illness, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure the destruction of E. coli.
A complete list of affected products can be found on the USDA’s website.
