Massachusetts Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2014 – Whole Foods Market locations, South Weymouth, Mass. and Newton, Mass., are recalling 368 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

125 lbs. of the following ground beef products produced on June 8, 2014 at the Newton, Mass. location are subject to recall:

• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT” with SKU 90013
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90247
• “BEEF SIRLOIN Patty 93% LEAN / 7% Fat” with SKU 90088
• “BEEF GROUND 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” with SKU 90035
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT patty FAMILY PACK” with SKU 52179
• “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT” with SKU 90004
• “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90037
• “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 96363
• “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value Pack” with SKU 52162
• “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 95997
• “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value pack” with SKU 52190
• “BEEF GROUND 85 15 GRASS FED” with SKU 95195
• “BEEF GROUND 85 15 PATTIES GRASS FED” with SKU 95196
• “BEEF BURGER GRASS FED GOURMET FEATURED” with SKU 52871

170 lbs. of the following ground beef products produced on June 10, 2014 at the Newton, Mass. location are subject to recall:

• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT” with SKU 90013
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90247
• “BEEF SIRLOIN Patty 93% LEAN / 7% Fat” with SKU 90088
• “BEEF GROUND 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” with SKU 90035
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT patty FAMILY PACK” with SKU 52179
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93/7 PATTIES NE” with SKU 90199
• “BEEF GROUNDSIRLOIN 93/7 NE” with SKU 95051
• “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT” with SKU 90004
• “BEEF GROUND 85% LEAN 15% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90037
• “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 96363
• “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value Pack” with SKU 52162
• “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 95997
• “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value pack” with SKU 52190
• “BEEF GROUND 85 15 GRASS FED” with SKU 95195
• “BEEF GROUND 85 15 PATTIES GRASS FED” with SKU 95196
• “BEEF BURGER GRASS FED GOURMET FEATURED” with SKU 52871

73 lbs. of the following ground beef products produced on June 21, 2014 at the South Weymouth, Mass. location are subject to recall:

• “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 96363
• “BEEF GROUND PATTY 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value Pack” with SKU 52162
• “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED” with SKU 95997
• “BEEF GROUND 90% LEAN GRASS FED, Value pack” with SKU 52190
• “BEEF GROUND 85 15 GRASS FED” with SKU 95195
• “BEEF GROUND 85 15 PATTIES GRASS FED” with SKU 95196
• “BEEF BURGER GRASS FED GOURMET FEATURED” with SKU 52871
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% Lean 7% fat” with SKU 90013
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT FAMILY PACK” with SKU 90247
• “BEEF SIRLOIN Patty 93% LEAN / 7% Fat” with SKU 90088
• “BEEF GROUND 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” with SKU 90035
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93% LEAN 7% FAT patty FAMILY PACK” with SKU 52179
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93/7 PATTIES NE” with SKU 90199
• “BEEF GROUND SIRLOIN 93/7 NE” with SKU 95051

FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses on June 25, 2014. Working in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FSIS determined that there is a link between ground beef purchased at Whole Foods Market and this illness cluster. Based on epidemiologic investigation, 3 case-patients have been identified in Massachusetts with illness onset dates ranging from June 13, 2014 to June 25, 2014. While the onset of illnesses was in June, on August 13, 2014, additional laboratory results provided linkages between the 3 MA case-patients and ground beef purchased from Whole Foods. Traceback investigation indicated that all 3 case-patients consumed ground beef purchased from 2 Whole Foods Market prior to illness onset. FSIS is continuing to work with state and federal public health partners on this investigation to determine a common source and will provide updated information as it becomes available.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 ° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, http://1.usa.gov/1cDxcDQ.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can call (512) 477-5566 ext. 20060, and media can contact Kate Lowery, Senior Global Coordinator, PR, Media Relations at (512) 542-0390.