A recent recall of ground beef produced by JBS Tolleson, Inc., just got bigger. The recall began in October, but the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) now urges consumers to check any ground beef in their freezers to see whether it is part of the recall.
In Alabama, the potentially tainted beef was sold at Sam’s Club, Kroger, Sprouts and Winn-Dixie. The USDA says, however, that this may not be a complete list of retailers. You should, therefore, check any frozen ground beef you have for the following information on the package:
- EST. 267 inside the USDA inspection mark (although it may appear in other places)
- Package dates from July 26 – September 7, 2018
If you have ground beef with these specifications, throw it away or return it to the store.
Over 12 million pounds of recalled raw beef may cause serious illness
The concern in this recall is that the ground beef may cause Salmonella Newport, which is a type of food poisoning you can contract from raw meat. Salmonella is a bacterial foodborne illness that can cause fever, severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps for up to seven days. While many people get better on their own, some need medical treatment or hospitalization.
The very young and old, as well as people with weak immune systems, are at increased risk for severe cases of the illness. In these cases, there is a risk for dangerous dehydration from the diarrhea and/or vomiting.
Check your freezer today
Take care of yourself and your family by checking any frozen ground beef you have for the information listed above and discarding it if necessary. It is not worth taking a chance with your health and your loved ones’ health.
