(CNN) – The United States Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Monday that 1.8 million pounds of ground beef products are being recalled on fears that they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
Recalled cases of beef from Wolverine Packing Company in Detroit, Michigan, were produced between March 31, 2014 and April 18, 2014 and shipped to distributors for restaurant use in Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. A complete list of products can be found on the FSIS website.
Based on investigations, 11 people across four states are suspected to have been sickened by the product. FSIS officials said in a press release that the agency is continuing to work with state and federal public health partners on this investigation and provide updated information as it becomes available.
The recall is categorized by the FSIS as “Class I”: a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Wolverine Packing Company at 262-563-5118 for details. Consumers with food safety questions are encouraged to contact “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 am to 4 pm ET Monday through Friday.
– Fast facts on E. coli
According to the FSIS, E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Consumers are advised to only consume ground beef that has been cooked all the way through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
