Beef Recall Alert

Last week’s recall of 41,000+ pounds of meat possibly contaminated with E. coli was small potatoes compared to this week’s expansion recall. The USDA reports that an additional 380,000 pounds of JBS Swift Beef Company products are being voluntarily recalled by the company.

Much of the meat is wholesale, meaning it is trimmed, cut, or ground and repackaged. According to the statement made on Sunday, "The recalled products include intact cuts of beef, such as primals, sub-primals, or boxed beef typically used for steaks and … some of these products may have been further processed into ground products by other companies.” While we know that the beef products in question were produced on April 21, and have the USDA stamp with coding, that will not help most consumers if the product has been altered by a distributor or retailer.

Chandler Keys, spokesperson for JBS Swift Beef Company, posted this statement on their website: "It is important for consumers to note that the recalled product from the date in question was sold by JBS as whole muscle cuts, not as ground beef. The ground beef that might have been associated with illness was produced by other companies who often do not use the antimicrobial intervention steps we employ in our facility to reduce the risk of the beef products. Nevertheless, we have agreed to expand our recall of whole muscle cuts out of an abundance of caution for consumers."

Because the distribution of these particular beef products are nationwide, the USDA has suggested that consumers contact their local retailer with questions about any steak, roasts or ground beef that they currently have in the freezer, or that has been recently consumed. 

The symptoms of E. coli bacteria illness vary for each person, but often include stomach cramps (sometimes severe), diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it is not usually very high, less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. And while some infections are very mild, others are severe and can be life-threatening.

There are precautions you can take to lessen your chances of infection. Be sure to thoroughly cook hamburgers and, if possible, use a digital thermometer to make sure they've been heated to at least 160 degrees. And make sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.