Cargill Beef Solutions announced a recall of nearly 30,000 pounds of fresh ground beef. The beef came from a Pennsylvania plant and is being recalled due to potential salmonella contamination.
The beef was sold to wholesalers in 14 pound packages and eventually repackaged by stores into smaller containers with new labels. All potentially dangerous packages should still bear the establishment number “EST. 9400” and a use-by date of May 25. If consumers still have this beef, it’s assumed it is frozen in their freezers as the expiration date has long past for fresh meat.
This information can all be found in the news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). The release comes after the government has connected five cases of illness to the same strain of salmonella found in the Cargill beef. Other cases are being investigated as well to determine if the illnesses are related to the beef.
Most cases are being linked to New England states and the beef has been traced to Hannaford grocery stores, a chain found in North New England.
The most common symptoms of salmonella poisoning are diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most cases run their course within 4 to 7 days. However, the dehydration from diarrhea can be so severe that hospitalization is required. This has been the case for a few of those affected by this latest contamination issue.
Check your freezers and make certain your meat isn’t at risk. The president of Cargill Beef, John Keating, released a statement regarding this latest incident. “Ensuring our beef products are safe is our highest priority and an investigation is underway to determine the source of salmonella in the animals we purchased for harvest and any actions necessary to prevent this from recurring,” he says.
Consumers who have questions are encouraged to call the company’s consumer information line at (888) 812-1646.