Nationwide Recall of 40,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Contaminated With E. Coli

Contaminated ground beef

NEW JERSEY – June 15, 2020 – According to an online news article published on WKRN.com, a beef processing plant based in New Jersey is recalling over 43,000 pounds of raw ground beef due to E. coli contamination. The news originated from an announcement given by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service who reported the recall on Saturday.

According to FSIS, raw ground beef, which is being recalled, was manufactured by Lakeside Refrigerated Services. Lakeside Refrigerated Services is a company based in Swedesboro, New Jersey. The beef company ships its beef products to retail stores throughout the United States. According to the news report and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recalled ground beef products were manufactured on June 1, 2020, and have the packaging has an establishment number “EST. 46841” on the USDA mark of inspection.

The recall notice states that the contamination is a potentially deadly form of E. Coli bacterium called E. coli O157:H7. The symptoms include bloody diarrhea, severe dehydration, and abdominal cramps lasting up to eight days but lasting 3-4 days on average. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that people typically recover in about seven days.  However, some individuals develop a severe form of kidney failure known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. E. coli O157:H7 is the most common type of “Shiga toxin-producing” E. coli (also known as STEC) found here in the United States. Shinga toxin is a toxin that is excreted by some forms of E. Coli. This toxin is potentially fatal, and people who have consumed the Shinga toxin-producing E. Coli suffer severe painful side effects. The CDC estimates that more than 265,000 individuals receive a Shinga toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) infection every year in the United States. Also, E. coli O157:H7 is responsible for more than 36% of these Shinga toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) infections.

The Ground Beef Products Recalled 

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, the issue was discovered during conventional testing and that no verified reports of adverse reactions caused by consumption of contaminated beef have been reported.

The recalled ground beef products in the recall include:

• “Thomas Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties 85% Lean/ 15% Fat,” 1-pound tray package with four quarter-pound patties with a lot code of P53944-10, and has a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20.
• “Value Pack Fresh Ground Beef 76% Lean / 24% Fat,” 1 pound 1-pound package with a lot code of P53930-18, and has a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20.
• “Marketside Butcher Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties, “1-pound package with four quarter-pound patties,” a lot code of P-53934-2, and has a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020.
• “Marketside Butcher Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef,” 1-pound package with lot code P-53298-82, and has a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20.
• “Marketside Butcher Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef 93% Lean/7% Fat,” 3-pound package with three 1-pound portions, has a lot code of P53929-70, and has a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20.
• “Thomas Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties 80% Lean/20% Fat,” 4-pound tray packs with 10 quarter-pound patties, a has a lot code of P53937-45, and use or freeze by date of 06/25/20.
• ” Thomas Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties 85% Lean /15% Fat,” 1-pound package containing four quarter-pound portions, with a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20, and a lot code P53935-25.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service is asking consumers to look for the recalled beef products that may be in the refrigerator or freezers. If you find a recalled product, throw the product away or returned to the store for a refund.