The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert Monday over concerns of possible E. Coli contamination of a ground beef product. The ground beef in question was part of a Hello Fresh home meal kit shipped to consumers between July 2 and July 21.
The federal agency is not issuing a recall because the product is no longer available for purchase. However, the health alert was published because of the possibility that some consumers may still have the product in their freezers if they did not cook the meal kit right away.
The ground beef was vacuum-sealed in a 10-ounce plastic package labeled GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT. The side of the package was stamped with the codes “EST#46841 L1 22 155” or “EST#46841 L5 22 155.”
Anyone who may have this ground beef product at home is urged to throw it away. It should not be consumed as the beef has been linked to several reported illnesses.
The ground beef may be contaminated with the O157:H7 strain of the E. Coli bacteria, which can cause severe symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea, intense stomach cramps, and in rare cases, kidney failure.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reminds consumers to always thoroughly cook raw meat products. Ground beef should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 160 degrees to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.
The FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health partners are continuing to investigate the outbreak of E. Coli O157:H7.
Consumers with questions about the public health alert can contact [email protected].
