E. coli Outbreak Leads to Massive Beef Recall

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Nebraska Beef Ltd decided to expand its voluntary recall to 5.3 million pounds, representing all the meat the company produced between May 16 and June 26, a statement released by the company on Thursday read.

Originally, the company recalled the beef sent to Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. On Thursday, it did not specify whether the beef now being recalled went to additional states.

The measure follows another major recall announced on June 25 by Kroger Co, the U.S. largest grocery chain, of ground beef sold in Michigan and central and northwestern Ohio.

The decision was taken after several cases of E. coli illnesses were reported in Ohio and Michigan. The supplier of the infected beef was Nebraska Beef.

According to the findings of an investigation led by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service at two processing plants which collaborated with Nebraska Beef, the E. coli outbreak happened because some production practices held under insanitary conditions. Apparently, the company’s efforts to ensure a properly clean production process were insufficient, at least against the E. coli bacteria, that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases kidney failure.

Some 41 people from Ohio and Michigan were infected with E. coli bacteria. The infection is more dangerous for people with weak immune systems, such as infants and the elderly.

However, after recalling the ground beef thought to be linked to the E. coli outbreak, Kroger wanted to reassure its customers that ground beef currently for sale in its stores is from other suppliers. Therefore, none of the ground beef involved in the Nebraska Beef recall is available in Kroger’s stores. People should not longer fear that the beef they buy is infested.

For more safety, however, people should follow the USDA’s advice, according to which, harmful bacteria are destroyed and the ground beef is safe to consume when ground beef is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.