News More Than 160,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Recalled in E. coli Outbreak—USDA Sets Highest Risk Level By Jenna Anderson Updated on November 25, 2024 Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content. health's fact checking process Close nerudol / Getty Images More than 160,000 pounds of ground beef from Wolverine Packing Co. were recalled nationwide over potential E. coli contamination.The meat was connected to a 15-person E. coli outbreak in Minnesota, prompting the USDA to label the recall as class I for the highest risk of illness.The USDA said the ground beef was distributed to restaurants across the country and is urging restaurants to check their fridges and freezers for the affected products. Over 160,000 pounds of ground beef have been recalled nationwide over potential Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Thursday. Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit meatpacking company, voluntarily recalled 167,277 pounds of ground beef products after a small E. coli outbreak was connected to the meat. Fifteen people in Minnesota reported E. coli infections between Nov. 2 and Nov. 10 after consuming the ground beef. Investigating the outbreak, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture tested a sample of the ground beef, and it was positive for E. coli. FSIS listed the recall as class I—the highest classification—meaning there is a “reasonable probability” that consuming the affected product will result in serious health consequences or death. Carrots Recalled After E. Coli Outbreak Leaves 1 Dead, Dozens Sick—See the List of Affected Products According to the FSIS, the recalled items were shipped to restaurants nationwide and may still be in fridges or freezers. The agency urged restaurants to check their kitchens and throw away any affected products. The fresh products under recall have a use-by date of Nov. 14, and the frozen products are labeled with a production date of Oct. 22. The recalled products have establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection, and the full lists of item codes, products, and labels are on the FSIS website. FSIS is also advising all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat, fresh or frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. The agency stressed that the only way to confirm meat is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer. These Are the Top 10 Foods Most Likely to Be Linked to Recalls and Disease Outbreaks FSIS also advised anyone who is concerned about illness from the ground beef to contact a healthcare provider. Common symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody or watery), vomiting, and a low fever. Symptoms usually start three to four days after eating the contaminated food and clear up without medical treatment within a week. Certain groups—children younger than 5 years old, adults aged 65 or older, people with weakened immune systems, and international travelers—have an increased chance of getting seriously ill from an E. coli infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe symptoms, including: Diarrhea or vomiting lasting more than two days Bloody poop or pee A fever higher than 102°F Signs of dehydration, such as not peeing, having a dry mouth or throat, or feeling dizzy Signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome, including decreased alertness, loss of color in the cheeks, unexplained bruising or tiny red spots on the skin, irritability, or blood in pee Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 4 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service. Wolverine Packing Co. recalls ground beef products due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of E. coli infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk and E. coli infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. E. coli infection (Escherichia coli): signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome.