Texas Company Recalling Beef Over Toxic Bacteria

A Texas-based firm says it is recalling frozen raw, ground beef products that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are able to damage “the digestive tract,” according to health officials. A small number of people with [the] infection may develop kidney failure and anaemia (due to destruction of the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body). This is called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS),” officials say.

Some 489 pounds of raw beef were recalled by Texas Natural Meats, a Lott, Texas establishment, according to the USDA release. They were produced on Aug. 8, 2017.

Namely, they are one-pound bags of “Green Field Farms Rogers Texas Ground Beef” that have a display of “PRODUCTION DATE 08.08.2017” and also display “EXPIRATION DATE 08.08.2020.” The bags also include the label “COOK USE ONLY” with the instruction “DO NOT refreeze after defrosting.”

The products subject to recall have the establishment number “EST. 34449” inside the USDA mark of inspection, the USDA said.

“The problem was discovered on June 19, 2018 by FSIS during routine inspection activities. The product was tested by the establishment and found to be positive for STEC O103 under their sampling program,” the agency said.

USDA officials said they’re concerned the product might be “frozen and in consumers’ freezers,” adding that 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.”

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