66 tons of ground beef recalled after E. coli outbreak kills 1, sickens 17

Cargill Meat Solutions, is recalling 132,606 pounds of ground beef products for a possible risk of contamination with the E. coli bacteria, which has already killed one person and made another 17 sick.

The ground beef items were produced and packaged on June 21, 2018 and were shipped to retail locations nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported.

Cargill Meat Solutions ground beef products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 86R” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

On Aug. 16, 2018, FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O26 illnesses. FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health and agriculture partners determined that raw ground beef was the probable source of the reported illnesses.

The epidemiological investigation identified 17 illnesses and one death with illness onset dates ranging from July 5 to July 25, 2018, according to a press release.

Ground beef was produced and packaged on June 21 and affects a dozen different Cargill Meat Solutions products, including 10-pound packages of “Fire River Farms Classic Ground Beef 81/19 fine grind” and 10-pound packages of “Certified Angus Beef Chuck Ground Beef” 81/19 fine grind”. Click here to see the complete list of recall ground beef products.

FSIS said in a statement that it is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Last August, Cargill Meat Solutions ordered the recall of 25,288 pounds of ground beef products, also because of the risk of contamination with E. coli bacteria.

Most people infected with E. coli O26 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but rarely, some develop a more severe infection.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is common with E. coli O26 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output.

Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.