E. Coli Recall: Beef Sold At Walmart Pulled From VA Stores

VIRGINIA — More than 42,900 pounds of ground beef products sold at Walmart and other retailers nationwide has been pulled from stores over fears that it may be contaminated with E. coli, a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and in severe cases, even kidney failure.

The ground beef, sold under brands including Marketside Butcher and Thomas Farms, was produced June 1 at Lakeside Refrigerated Services in New Jersey. More than a dozen Virginia Walmart stores are among those that sold the possibly tainted meat.

You can search this list of Walmart stores included in the recall.

The following products have been recalled:

• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing "MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF" and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of "MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES" and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.
• 3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of "MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
• 1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of "THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
• 4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of "THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of "THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
• 1-lb. vacuum packages containing "VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number "EST. 46841" inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide. Product labels can be seen here.

According to the recall notice, the potential E. coli contamination was discovered during routine U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service testing. FSIS said it is concerned some potentially tainted product may still be in customers' refrigerators and freezers. Recalled product should not be consumed and should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Anyone who believes they may have been sickened by the beef should contact their health care provider. So far, there are no reports of customers becoming sick from eating the recalled beef.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of E.coli infection vary from person to person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.

"Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C)," the agency writes. " Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening."

While infections may be mild, they can be severe and sometimes fatal. For example, E. coli can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that damages blood vessels in the kidneys, authorities warn. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5 to 10 percent of people who are diagnosed with an E. coli infection get this syndrome.

State health officials advise seeking medial advice in these cases:

• Diarrhea lasts for more than three days
• Diarrhea with fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Diarrhea with blood in the stool
• Diarrhea with ongoing vomiting

You can find more information about symptoms of E.coli infection via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.