Check Your Fridge: Over 16,000 Pounds of Ground Beef From Walmart Have Been Recalled Due to E. Coli Concerns

Published on May 03, 2024

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If you recently stocked your fridge with burgers or ground beef from Walmart, you'll definitely want to double check that your purchase wasn't part of a new recall announced on May 1, 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is concerned that more than 16,000 pounds of ground beef on store shelves (or in your fridge!) could be contaminated with dangerous E. coli bacteria O157:H7.

What Beef Products Have Been Recalled?

The contaminated beef, which was sold at Walmarts nationwide, is from Cargill Meat Solutions in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. The ground beef and burger products were produced between April 26 and 27, 2024. The recalled items are labeled with establishment number "EST. 86P" on the back, and have a USDA mark of inspection on the front.

The company reported the problem after they discovered that meat that had been segregated due to concerns about contamination had been used to produce the ground beef. Here's a list of the potentially affected products:

• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

You can see what the product labels look like here, and if you have questions regarding the recall, you can contact Cargill Meat Solutions at 1-844-419-1574.

What Is E. Coli?

E. coli is a dangerous—and sometimes deadly—bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and dehydration in people affected. Some people affected—generally kids under five—can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, due to E. coli. Symptoms of that can include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever and chills, fatigue, weakness, and paleness.

Generally, people develop E. coli symptoms a few days after eating contaminated meat, and so far, no illnesses have been reported in relation to this recall.

But the USDA still considers this a high-risk recall, which means that there's a reasonable probability that using this meat could put your health—or your life—at risk.

What Should I Do If I Have Recalled Meat?

Walmart has already removed affected products from its store shelves, but you may still have some in your fridge or freezer. If you have meat that's part of the recall, throw it out or return it to the store for a refund.

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1. Fsis issues public health alert for ground beef products due to possible e. Coli o157:h7 contamination | food safety and inspection service. Accessed May 3, 2024. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7-0