Nationwide Health Alert Issued for E. Coli Contaminated Ground Beef

The USDA warns against consuming certain ground beef products due to potential E. coli contamination, emphasizing the risk of serious health issues.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for ground beef products produced on March 28, 2024, with a 'Use/Freeze by' date of April 22, 2024.
No recall has been requested as the products are no longer available for purchase, but they may still be in consumers' freezers.
The contaminated beef bears the establishment number 'EST. 960A' and was shipped to various food service institutions and retail locations nationwide.
Exposure to E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and potentially life-threatening kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Consumers are advised to safely prepare and cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill harmful bacteria.