Ground Beef Recall: One Death, 17 Sick from Possible E. Coli Contamination

U.S. Beef Meat Death Contamination

A nationwide recall of over 130,000 pounds of ground beef was issued on Thursday because of possible E. coli contamination.

The ground beef recall was issued for products produced and packaged by Cargill Meat Solutions on June 21, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

An investigation conducted by the FSIS in August found that 17 related illnesses and one death were linked to consuming the ground beef supplied by Cargill Meat Solutions. The illnesses and death took place from July 5 to July 25, according to the agency.

81690056-594x594 — Carlos Vasquez monitors ground beef as it passes through a machine that makes hamburger patties at a meat packing and distribution facility in San Francisco on June 24, 2008. Over 130,000 pounds of ground beef have been recalled by the U.S. Agriculture Department because of possible E. coli contamination. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Escherichia coli, or E. coli, bacteria can cause sickness if they are pathogenic. This can mean stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most people experience the symptoms for only five to seven days, some cases can be life-threatening, the CDC said.

The FSIS urged consumers to throw away the ground beef or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund. The recall and label lists can be found on the USDA website.

The recall list is also here:

3-lb. chubs of "OUR CERTIFIED 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF" with a use or freeze by July 11 and case code 00228749057646.
3-lb. chubs of "OUR CERTIFIED 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 00228749002653.
10-lb. chubs of "EXCEL 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 00228749089098.
10-lb. chubs of "EXCEL 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 90028749002751.
10-lb. chubs of "EXCEL 81/19 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 90028749003536.
10-lb. chubs of "EXCEL GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 00228749003568.
10-lb. chubs of "EXCEL CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 90028749402773.
20-lb. chubs of "EXCEL 81/19 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF COMBO" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 90028749073935.
10-lb. chubs of "Sterling Silver CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 00228749702416.
10-lb. chubs of "CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND" with a use/freeze by July 11 and case code 90028749802405.
10-lb. chubs of "CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND" with a use/freeze by July 11 with case code 00228749802413.
10-lb. chubs of "Fire River Farms CLASSIC GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND" with a use/freeze by July 11 with case code 90734730297241.

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