The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a warning to consumers that ground beef products manufactured by the Greater Omaha Packing Co. may be contaminated with E. coli. Over a dozen potentially tainted products, including patties and tubes of raw ground beef, were produced by the company. The FSIS is urging the public not to consume these products due to possible E. coli contamination.
The problem was discovered when the company was 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 the retailer as soon as possible to avoid any potential harm caused by this contamination.
Greater Omaha Packing Co., located in Nebraska, supplies beef to over 70 countries and is responsible for a large percentage of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli illnesses in the United States.
It’s important for consumers who purchased these potentially tainted ground beef products from Greater Omaha Packing Co. to take immediate action and either discard or return them as soon as possible before consuming them or serving them in their homes or businesses.
Greater Omaha Packing Co.’s spokesperson stated that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure that their meat products are safe for consumption and will work closely with authorities and retailers involved in this situation.
This incident highlights once again how important it is for food manufacturers, processors, retailers, and consumers alike to work together towards ensuring food safety standards are met at all times.