Ground beef recall warning: 165,000 of ground beef possibly contaminated with E.coli

By Leada Gore

Ground beef recall, Wolverine Packing Co.Courtesy of FSIS

More than 165,000 pounds of ground beef has been recalled due to potential contamination with E. coli, federal officials are warning.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Detroit-based Wolverine Packing distributed the ground beef to restaurants across the country. The fresh products have a “use by” date of Nov. 14; frozen products are labeled with production date of Oct. 22. Both have an establishment number of “EST 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were sold under brand names Wolverine Packing Co., 1855 Beef, Davis Creek Meals, Farmer’s Choice, Heritage Restaurant Brands and Cheney Brothers, Inc.

The recall comes after the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service was notified by the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health of illnesses traced back to beef from Wolverine Packing Co. Samples from the company tested positive for E.coli and 15 cases have been identified, the USDA said, starting on Nov. 2.

Symptoms of E.coli include dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps that typically appear within three to four days after exposure. Most people recover within a week but some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Individuals or restaurants are advised to check freezers for the products and throw them out or return to the place of purchase.