The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a warning that some ground beef products may be contaminated with E. coli. Greater Omaha Packing Co., a meat processing company, manufactured over a dozen potentially tainted products, including both patties and tubes of raw ground beef. The FSIS is concerned that these products may still be in consumers’ and food service institutions’ freezers, and they are urging the public not to consume them due to the possible E. coli contamination. Packaging of the affected products should show an April 22 “Use/Freeze by” date and the establishment number “EST. 960A.”

Despite no recall of the tainted ground beef products because they are no longer available for purchase, the problem was discovered by the company while conducting an inventory of products on hold due to a positive E. coli 0157:H7 finding. They unintentionally used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that were then shipped into commerce. Both food service institutions and retailers received the affected meat products.

The specific strain of E. coli that may be present in the ground beef products is potentially deadly and can cause symptoms like dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within 2-8 days (3-4 days on average) after exposure. Despite the contamination, no illnesses have been reported from consuming the ground beef products mentioned in the FSIS public health alert. Consumers are advised to dispose of the products or return them to