Tyson Recalls Ground Beef Across 14 States Due to E. Coli Fears
Tyson Fresh Meats has voluntarily issued a recall for 131,300 pounds of ground beef, across 14 states, after a sample of the meat tested positive for E. coli, health officials announced Wednesday.
Each package bears the establishment code "EST 245D" as well as a "Best Before or Freeze By SEP 12, 2011" date. The product was produced on Aug. 23, 2011.
The ground beef was sold in pre-packaged printed tubes, or "chubs," that were placed directly into the retail meat case. Tyson has stressed that the recall does not involve any clear film, tray pack ground beef, or any ground beef patties.
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Given the use by dates, the company believes that it is likely most of the affected product has already been consumed. However, they urge consumers to check their freezers and, if they find the product in question, to return or discard it.
Tyson Fresh Meats shipped the affected ground beef to the following states and distribution center locations: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the discovery of the E.coli bacteria was due to the illness of a local family who consumed the product. One member of the stricken family was a child who spent 10 days in the hospital.
Tessie Pollock of the Ohio Department of Health said that individuals who consume the E.coli-tainted meat will start showing symptoms one to seven days after consumption. The Ohio Department of Health analyzed a sample of meat that was found to contain E. coli.
According to the USDA, E. coli infection of humans results in hemorrhagic colitis, which is characterized by cramps, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea followed by bloody diarrhea. A low-grade fever may be present or absent in the initial stages. Dehydration is possible. In healthy adults, infections are usually self-limiting and last about a week.
A list of retail stores that subsequently received the product was posted on USDA's website on Wednesday, September 28. Use the following link to locate the "retail distribution list."
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_077_2011_Release/index.asp.
Consumers with questions may call Tyson Consumer Relations at 866-328-3156.
