Ground beef sold at Walmart recalled over possible E. coli contamination

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LOS ANGELES – More than 16,000 pounds of raw ground beef sold at Walmart stores nationwide have been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli bacteria, the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this week.

Issuing a product contamination alert, officials have urged consumers who recently purchased ground beef at Walmart to check the product labels, throw out the recalled products and contact their health care providers if they have illness concerns.

On Wednesday, the FSIS announced it was recalling approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a deadly type of bacteria.

The raw ground beef items were manufactured by the Pennsylvania-based Cargill Meat Solutions and shipped to Walmart retail locations across the country.

Which ground beef products are affected by the Walmart recall?

The recalled items, which include raw ground beef and burger patties sold in plastic-wrapped trays, were produced between April 26 and April 27, 2024. These include:

• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing “93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF”
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four “PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES”
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing “85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF”
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK”
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES”
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four “90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES”

The recalled products all have a USDA mark of inspection on the front of the label, the establishment number “EST. 86P” on the back of the label, and a lot number of either 117 or 118, the FSIS said.

E. Coli O157:H7

“E. coli O157:H7 can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days (3-4 days, on average) after exposure the organism,” according to the FSIS.

While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. “It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output,” the FSIS said. Those who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.