Possible E. coli contamination leads to recall of nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef

• A possible E. coli contamination has prompted Lakeside Refrigerated Services to recall nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef.
• The beef products were shipped to retailers nationwide, including Walmart.
• Most of the products were sold under the brand names Marketside Butcher or Thomas Farms.

Nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef has been recalled by Lakeside Refrigerated Services due to possible E. coli contamination.

The meat was produced by the Swedesboro, New Jersey-based company on June 1. The recall was announced by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service on Saturday.

The USDA defined the recall as “Class I” with a “high” health risk. The agency explained, “This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

So far, there have been no reports of illnesses related to the recall.

According to ConsumerReports.org, the beef products were shipped to retailers nationwide, including Walmart.

The products subject to recall are marked with the establishment number “EST. 46841” in the USDA’s mark of inspection. Most of the products were sold under the brand names Marketside Butcher or Thomas Farms.

The specific products subject to recall are listed below:

• 1-lb. tray packages of four ¼ lb. pieces of “Thomas Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties 85% Lean / 15% FAT” with a use or freeze by date of June 25, 2020 and lot code P53944-10.
• 4-lb. tray packages of 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “Thomas Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties 80% Lean / 20% Fat” with a use or freeze by date of June 25, 2020 and lot code P53937-45.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages of four ¼ lb. pieces of “Thomas Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties 85% Lean / 15% Fat” with a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P53935-25.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages of four ¼ lb. pieces of “Marketside Butcher Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef Patties” with a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages of “Marketside Butcher Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef” with a use or freeze by date of July 1, 2020 and lot code P-53298-82.
• 3-lb. vacuum packages of three 1 lb. pieces of “Marketside Butcher Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef 93% Lean / 7% Fat” with a use or freeze by date of July 1, 2020 and lot code P53929-70.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages of “Value Pack Fresh Ground Beef 76% Lean / 24% Fat” with a use or freeze by date of July 1, 2020 and lot code P53930-18.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products are advised to dispose of them or return them to the store of purchase.

Consult your doctor if you suspect that you have fallen sick from eating contaminated ground beef.

Symptoms of an E. coli infection usually manifest between two and eight days after exposure to the organism. Symptoms include dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

You can contact the Lakeside Processing Center Call Center at (856) 832-3881 for any questions about the recall.

Source: Aol.com