Ground Beef Recalled Over Salmonella Risk

According to the USDA, a ground beef recall has been issued for Stater Bros brand products over concerns that the meat has been linked to an outbreak of salmonella.

The ground beef was recalled by Central Valley Meat Co., based in Hanford, Calif. Approximately 34,222 pounds of meat are subject to the ground beef recall.

The affected products were produced on July 23, 2019 and sold in retail locations in California.

The USDA estimates that the recalled ground beef was sold between Aug. 8, 2019 and Sept. 22, 2019.

According to its news release, the USDA “is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

The following products are subject to the ground beef recall:

• “Stater Bros 100% Pure Ground Beef 96 % Lean 4% Fat,” one-pound cub packages, with lot 2049 on the retail label and use by date of Aug. 14, 2019.
• “Stater Bros 100% Pure Ground Beef 93 % Lean 7% Fat,” two-pound chub packages, with lot 2049 on the retail label and use by date of Aug. 14, 2019.
• “Stater Bros 97/3 Ground Beef 10# Chub 10 lb. Chubs/2 Count,”20-pound cases, with lot 19204 on the label and use by date of Aug. 14, 2019.

The Centers for Disease Control notified the USDA of the problem after a reported outbreak of salmonellosis that crossed six states.

Salmonellosis is an illness caused by the bacteria Salmonella Dublin. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within a few days of exposure and the illness can last up to a week.

Those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, as well as the very young and very old can develop more severe illnesses if exposed, notes the USDA.

“Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled,” reports Food Safety News. “Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection.”

According to a report by ABC 7 of Los Angeles, the contaminated beef was traced across 10 people living in six states who became ill in August and September. Those who are concerned that they have developed salmonellosis should contact their doctor.

Those who purchased meat subject to the ground beef recall should throw out the product or take it back to its place of purchase, says the USDA recall notice.

“[The USDA] 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,” states the ground beef recall notice. “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.”

Did you buy meat subject to the ground beef recall? Tell us more in the comments below.

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