On November 20, 2024 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall of approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
The company that distributed the E. Coli contaminated ground beef is Wolverine Packing Co.
Although the tainted ground beef was shipped to restaurant locations nationwide, the first food poisoning outbreak of E. Coli linked to the ground beef recall was reported in Minnesota.
Minnesota E. coli Outbreak Reported
The issue came to light after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture informed FSIS of several individuals who became sick after eating ground beef. FSIS received this alert on November 13, 2024, and subsequently collaborated with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health to confirm that ground beef from Wolverine Packing Co. was linked to these cases. A sample of the tainted ground beef, tested on November 20, 2024, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, confirmed the presence of E. coli O157. As of now, there are 15 confirmed cases with illness onset between November 2 and November 10, 2024. The investigation is still ongoing with FSIS and the relevant Minnesota departments.
List of products: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall-031-2024-Product-List.pdf
List of product labels: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2024-11/Recall-031-2024-Labels.pdf
What is E. Coli food poisoning?
E. coli food poisoning refers to an illness caused by consuming food or water contaminated with certain strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). Here’s a detailed look at this condition:
What is E. coli?
- E. coli is a large and diverse group of bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. Most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. However, some serotypes, particularly E. coli O157:H7, can produce toxins known as Shiga toxins, leading to illness.
How Does E. coli Cause Food Poisoning?
- Contamination: Food, like ground beef, can become contaminated with E. coli during slaughter, processing, or from contact with animal feces. Common sources include undercooked beef (especially ground beef), unpasteurized (raw) milk, apple cider, and contaminated vegetables or water.
Symptoms, Onset and Duration of E. coli Food Poisoning
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- Gastrointestinal Symptoms: These include abdominal pain, severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
- Onset: Symptoms typically begin a few days after exposure but can start from 1 to 10 days post-exposure.
- Duration: Symptoms usually resolve within a week, but some people might develop more severe complications.
Severe Complications
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): Particularly in young children and older adults, this can lead to kidney failure. HUS is characterized by:
- Low platelet count
- Anemia due to red blood cell destruction
- Kidney failure
Other Complications: Can include neurological symptoms like stroke or seizures in severe cases.
Prevention
- Hygiene: Proper hand washing, thorough cooking of meat (especially ground beef), washing fruits and vegetables, and avoiding untreated water.
- Food Safety: Not consuming raw or undercooked foods, especially those from animal sources, avoiding unpasteurized dairy products, and being cautious with food from street vendors or in areas with poor sanitation.
- The FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their ground beef products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.
E. coli Food Poisoning Treatment
- Hydration: Keeping the infected individual hydrated is crucial, often through oral rehydration solutions or, in severe cases, intravenous fluids.
- Antibiotics: Usually not recommended as they can increase the risk of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, but might be used if there’s a secondary infection.
- Symptomatic Relief: Pain relief for severe abdominal pain, but avoiding anti-diarrheal medication which might prolong the infection.
Questions About a Ground Beef Recall Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Food Poisoning Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If you or a loved one have been sickened with E. coli by the ground beef recall, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are currently accepting new ground beef E. coli food poisoning cases throughout Minnesota and the rest of the country. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries or loss.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
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To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.