At least 15 people in Minnesota have fallen ill due to E. coli O157:H7, prompting a nationwide recall of more than 167,000 pounds of ground beef. The recall, issued by Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co., followed an investigation by state and federal officials linking the contaminated meat to a cluster of illnesses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on Wednesday. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture discovered the contamination after testing a sample of ground beef, which confirmed the presence of the harmful E. coli strain. The affected products were distributed to restaurants across the country.
"FSIS was notified of illnesses on November 13, 2024, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster," the agency said. The recalled products carry the establishment number "EST. 2574B" and include a "use by" date of Nov. 14 for fresh items or a production date of Oct. 22 for frozen products.
E. coli infections typically cause symptoms such as severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and dehydration. In severe cases, the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially life-threatening kidney condition. Symptoms generally appear two to eight days after consuming contaminated food. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, E. coli O157:H7 is the most common strain to cause illness in humans, affecting approximately 70,000 people annually in the United States.
Wolverine Packing Co., a family-owned company operating for nearly 90 years, has initiated an internal review in response to the outbreak. "We are conducting an intensive internal audit to fully review suppliers and processes in place, including rigorous quality control measures, to maintain the highest standards of production," the company said in a statement to FOX Business. The company emphasized its commitment to safety, saying, "As a third-generation, family-owned and operated company, we are committed to food and consumer safety."
The illnesses linked to the contaminated meat have so far been confined to Minnesota, with cases reported between November 2 and November 10. While no illnesses have been reported outside the state, the FSIS expressed concern that some of the recalled products might still be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Businesses are being urged to check their inventory and discard or return any ground beef matching the recall description.
This outbreak highlights the dangers posed by E. coli contamination, a bacteria strain that the Minnesota Department of Health described as producing a "powerful toxin that can cause severe illness." The FSIS said it is "concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers" and has instructed affected businesses to take immediate action.
