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USDA recalls beef sold at Walmart for possible E. coli contamination
Jan 7, 2022, 6:58 PM | Updated: 7:03 pm
Image of the Walmart label consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for, as the USDA issues a recall for beef that potentially contains a dangerous E. coli bacteria. (screen shot from USDA recall webpage, accessed Jan. 7, 2022)
(screen shot from USDA recall webpage, accessed Jan. 7, 2022)
SALT LAKE CITY — The USDA recalled nearly 30,000 pounds of ground beef this week for possible E. coli contamination. Some of the beef was sent to Utah Walmart locations.
Recalled beef was shipped to Utah, sold at Walmart
The meat was sold by Interstate Meat Dist. Inc. out of Clackamas, Oregon. Along with Utah, it was shipped to Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
The affected beef was sold in Walmart, Kroger, WinCo, and Albertsons food stores, and would be labeled as the store’s brand. Additionally, the USDA reports that products of concern will bear an establishment number, “EST.965” inside the USDA mark of inspection, or printed next to the time stamp or freeze-by date.
Product labels are pictured here.
Walmart lists more than 50 locations in Utah where the beef was sold. On its webpage, Kroger provided the product name (Ground Beef 97/7), container sizes (one- and three-pound sizes), and the “use or freeze by date” of January 11, 2022.
Symptoms of E. coli poisoning
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria. The bacteria are found in the environment, in food, and the intestines of people and animals.
Most of these bacteria are harmless. But some can cause gastrointestinal distress including diarrhea. In some cases urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, and pneumonia are possible.
The CDC says that most people start feeling sick three to four days after eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria, but symptoms can begin anywhere from one to 10 days after exposure.
One particular concern is the potentially life-threatening complication involving the kidneys. Hemolytic uremic syndrome causes a decrease urinary frequency, lethargy, and losing the pink color in the cheeks as well as the lower eyelids.
