E. coli Tainted Beef Leads to Major Grocery Chain Recalls

In what the USDA has labeled a “Class I Recall with a high health risk,” National Beef Packing Co., the fourth largest beef processor in the U.S., is recalling ground beef chubs produced on July 23 with a freeze date of August 12, as well as those produced on July 25 with a freeze date of August 14.

Some of the affected ground beef may have gone through further processing and repackaging, and sold under different brand names. The USDA didn’t list the specific brands involved but Winn-Dixie Stores, Publix, Kroger and Walmart all announced independently they were recalling ground beef products as a result of the problem at National Beef.

E.coli, a potentially deadly bacteria, can cause dehydration, kidney failure and other problems if consumed. To combat it, the FSIS recommends safe preparation of raw meat by cooking to a temperature of at least 160 degrees Farenheit.

As alarming as it is this E.coli tainted beef recall isn’t the first of its kind, as just earlier this year, Arkansas City-based Creekstone Farms, recalled 7 tons (14,000lbs) of ground chuck for the same reason.