E. coli risk leads to recall of more than 62,000 pounds of raw beef before Memorial Day
Kelly TykoDays ahead of Memorial Day weekend, more than 62,000 pounds of raw beef products are being recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Wednesday that Aurora Packing Co. Inc., of North Aurora, Illinois, is recalling select products packaged on April 19.
The products may be contaminated with the strain of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and have an establishment number “EST. 788” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped nationwide for further distribution and processing, according to the recall notice.
There are multiple cuts of beef included in the recall, including short ribs, ribeyes and briskets, according to a list of products on the government site.
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There have been no confirmed reports of "adverse reactions due to consumption of these products," the recall notice states.
The problem was discovered during "traceback activities in response to random sample testing" by the government agency.
E. coli infections typically occur three to four days after consuming the germ, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting can result after five to seven days.
In severe cases, patients may get hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service classified the announcement as a "Class I" recall. Such recalls are considered a high health risk – a "situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."
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