16,000 pounds of ground beef recalled nationwide over E. coli concerns

(NEXSTAR) – More than 16,000 pounds of raw ground beef are under recall, the USDA announced Wednesday, due to possible E. coli contamination.

The recalled beef, which was processed at a Cargill Meat Solutions facility in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was shipped to Walmart stores nationwide, the USDA initially announced. Cargill later said the affected product had only been distributed to stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington, D.C.

A spokesperson for Cargill said no illnesses had been reported as of Thursday, according to a statement shared with Nexstar.

The labels of the affected products don’t obviously bear the “Cargill” name. Many are branded under the “All Natural” label. (You can see pictures of the recalled items here.)

While there are no reports of the ground beef causing sickness, the meat may have been contaminated by E. coli bacteria. It’s the same strain, E. coli O157:H7, that prompted a nationwide health alert last month.

E. coli infection can cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramping, vomiting and nausea. Infection usually begins three to four days after exposure – such as consuming tainted food – according to Mayo Clinic. Some people feel sick sooner, while for others it can take up to a week.

Young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of complications.

All of the recalled products, which total approximately 16,243 pounds of ground beef, were produced on April 26 and 27, the USDA says. They are:

• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing “93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF” with lot code 117 and establishment number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four “PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES” with lot code 118 and establishment number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing “85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF” with lot code 117 and establishment number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK” with lot code 118 and establishment number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES” with lot code 118 and establishment number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four “90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES” with lot code 118 and establishment number “EST. 86P” printed on the back of the label.

If you have one of the above packages of ground beef in your fridge or freezer, you should throw it away or return it to the store where it was purchased.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection, you should seek medical care, the USDA says.