Publix Recalls Ground Beef After 18 People Become Ill

LAKELAND, FL -- Before you use thaw that ground beef in your freezer to make hamburger patties for your Labor Day barbecue, check the date.

Publix is voluntarily recalling ground beef products sold this summer after 18 cases of E. coli, mostly in Florida, was traced to the beef, according to the USDA.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service, part of the Department of Agriculture, was first alerted to a number of E. coli 026 illnesses on Aug. 16, according to the agency. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state agencies, they determined that raw ground chuck beef was the probable source of the illnesses.

The list of counties that received the tainted beef includes Brevard; Charlotte; Citrus; Collier; DeSoto; Flagler; Hernando; Highlands; Hillsborough; Indian River; Lake; Lee; Manatee; Marion; Orange; Osceola; Pasco; Pinellas; Polk; Sarasota; Seminole; St. Lucie; Sumter; and Volusia.

The list of products, which were sold from June 25 through July 31, includes:

• Ground Chuck
• Ground Chuck Burgers
• Gourmet Burgers (Jalapeno & Cheddar, Pimento & Cheese, Bacon & Cheddar, Bacon & Fried Onion, Blue Cheese, and Swiss & Mushroom)
• Seasoned Ground Chuck Burgers (Badia, Mesquite, Montreal, and Steakhouse)
• Meatballs (Bacon & Cheddar, Bacon & Fried Onion, Blue Cheese, Jalapeno & Cheddar, Swiss & Mushroom, and Spanish)
• Meatloaf (Seasoned and Grillers)
• Slider (Bacon & Cheddar, Bacon & Fried Onion, Ground Chuck, Blue Cheese, Jalapeno & Cheddar, and Swiss & Mushroom)
• Stuffed Peppers

The USDA has declared this a Class 1 recall, indicating “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” Unless frozen, the products should have already been consumed or tossed.

Publix encourages shoppers to check their freezer for any of these products.

“Food safety is our top priority. We have been working closely with various federal agencies as we share the common goal of maintaining food safety and public health. We urge our customers to make sure they no longer have ground chuck products purchased in the affected Florida counties from June 25 through July 31 in their freezers,” said Maria Brous, Publix media and community relations director. “Customers should dispose of the product or bring it in for a full refund.”

People can become sick two to eight days after eating the contaminated meat. Most E. coli issues deal with E. coli O157:H7. This is E. coli 026, a similar strain.

“Most people infected with O26 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting,” the USDA said. “Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but rarely, some develop a more severe infection."

Publix customers who have purchased the products in question may return them to their local store for a full refund. Customers with additional questions may call the company’s customer care department at 1-800-242-1227 or visit its website.

Image via Publix

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