Wolverine Packing Co.

Wolverine Packing Co. Recalls Ground Beef: 167,000 Pounds Possibly Contaminated with E. coli

Wolverine Packing Co. has recalled over 167,000 pounds of ground beef that was shipped to restaurants across the country. At this point, it’s not possible to confirm the exact locations of the affected restaurants, as investigations are still ongoing. However, the concern is that the beef may be contaminated with E. coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on Wednesday that 15 cases of illness have been reported in Minnesota, with symptoms starting from November 2 to November 10.

The fresh products have a use-by date of November 14, and the frozen products are labeled with a production date of October 22. These products carry the USDA mark of inspection with the establishment number EST. 2574B.

The affected beef products were shipped to restaurants nationwide, and the USDA is concerned that some of the products may still be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. With this in mind, it’s recommended that all recalled products be immediately discarded or returned and should not be consumed. If not handled properly, the number of cases could increase, which could lead to a more serious problem.

On November 13, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture notified the USDA about illnesses related to ground beef consumption. On November 20, a sample of the ground beef collected by the department tested positive for E. coli O157.

Symptoms of E. coli infections include severe stomach cramps, acidity, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. These symptoms typically appear 3-4 days after consuming the bacteria. While most people recover within a week without treatment, some individuals can develop serious kidney issues and may require hospitalization.

In a statement to CNN, Wolverine Packing confirmed that it is working closely with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and has notified all customers who received the recalled products to ensure they dispose of them properly and not to use them in any further capacity.

The company also reassured the public by saying, “We are thoroughly reviewing our suppliers and processes, including rigorous quality control measures, to ensure we maintain the highest production standards.” They continued, “As a third-generation, family-owned business operating for nearly 90 years, food and consumer safety are our highest priority.”