Interstate Meat Distributors is recalling 14,806 pounds of ground beef and pork after the company said its meat tested positive for E. coli through a third-party laboratory.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall Saturday night. Interstate Meat Distributors, a Clackamas-based company, reportedly distributes the ground meat to retail locations in Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
A company official reached Saturday night declined to comment or answer any questions about the recall. According to the release, the recalled meat has USDA number "965" on the packaging. The recall includes a variety of extra lean and ground chuck products.
The meat was produced and packaged Feb. 10 and Feb. 12, according to the government statement. If you've purchased any of the recalled meats, they may be contaminated and should be thrown away or brought back to the store.
The strain of E. coli, O157:H7, is potentially deadly, especially for children under the age of 5 and for the elderly. Stomach cramps, dehydration and diarrhea are all potential symptoms.
Most people who eat contaminated meat will start recovering within a week, but if symptoms worsen a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome can develop.
That condition can afflict anyone but is most dangerous for the young and old.
"There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products," the federal agency said in a press release.
The government runs a service called "Ask Karen," 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov, where consumers can get more information. A toll-free USDA hotline, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish but is only available Monday through Friday.
Here's a breakdown of the recalled products:
- 2.25-lb. wrapped packages of fresh "ALL NATURAL EXTRA LEAN GROUND BEEF" containing package code 04118 and with 96% lean and 4% fat on the label.
- 2.25-lb. wrapped packages of fresh "ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" containing package code 04118 and with 80% lean and 20% fat on the label.
- 2.25-lb. wrapped packages of fresh "GROUND BEEF AND PORK BLEND" containing package code 04118 and with 80% lean and 20% fat on the label.
- 2.50-lb. bag containing 10 quarter pound frozen "BROTHERS CHOICE 85% LEAN ANGUS GROUND BEEF PATTIES" containing package code 04318.