More Than 160,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Recalled Over Risk Of E. Coli
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Nearly 167,000 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef products have been recalled over possible E. coli contamination, according to the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health noticed a link between a group of reported illnesses and ground beef from Wolverine Packing Co., a meat distributor based in Detroit.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service said it worked with the Minnesota departments to investigate. Fifteen people had been reported sick as of Wednesday, with symptoms beginning November 2 to November 10, according to a report in NBC News. The same day, the Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a news release, that the Minnesota Agriculture Department tested a ground beef sample from Wolverine and found that it contained a strain of harmful bacteria called E. coli O157:H7.
The products were shipped to restaurants across the country, causing the Food Safety and Inspection Service to be “concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers.” E. coli O157:H7 is the same strain of bacteria linked to onions in some McDonald’s Quarter Pounders last month.
E. coli bacteria usually live in the intestines of healthy people and animals and are known to be beneficial. However, there are certain strains that can cause severe cramps, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. You might be exposed to these strains from contaminated water or food, especially if you eat raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef. Healthy adults usually recover from infection, but, young children and older adults have a greater risk of developing life-threatening conditions.
Types of E. coli infection
The most common types of E. coli infections are gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Here, take a look at some of the other types of e.coli infections.
- Bloodstream infections
- Prostatitis (prostate infection)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Gallbladder infection (cholecystitis)
- Wound infections
- Pneumonia (rare)
- Meningitis (rare).
Symptoms of E. coli infection
Here, take a look at some of the common symptoms of E. coli infection.
- Diarrhoea which is often watery and sometimes bloody.
- Stomach pains and cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Low fever
- Watery diarrhoea is usually the first symptom of an E. coli infection in your GI tract.
Symptoms of E. coli in your urinary tract
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Pain or burning sensation when you pee
- An urgent need to pee frequently
- Cloudy, foul-smelling pee.
Measures to Prevent E. coli infection
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Good Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing or eating food, after using the restroom, and after contact with animals.
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Cook Food Thoroughly: Make sure meats, especially ground beef are cooked to a safe internal temperature (160°F or 71°C).
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Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and other foods. Wash utensils and surfaces after contact with raw meat to prevent spreading bacteria to other foods.
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Wash Fruits and Vegetables: Rinse your fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.
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