N.E. Whole Foods Face Food Recall for Ground Beef

Whole Foods locations in Massachusetts face a food recall for ground beef products that may contain e. Coli.

The food recall for ground beef so far is small – only 368 pounds of ground beef are under the food recall, and Massachusetts Whole Foods are only affected in two locations. The ground beef was produced on June 8th, June 10th, and June 21st.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) began investigating reports of e. Coli illnesses in the area on June 25th. Three patients were identified in Massachusetts and the FSIS, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the CDC, was able to trace the cases back to ground beef purchased at Whole Foods.

Lab tests came back on August 13th, and provided a link between the 3 cases and the ground beef that is now under food recall. Although the lab results were returned 2 months after the onset of illness, the FSIS issued the food recall out of concern that some of the tainted product may still be consumers’ freezers.

E. Coli infection normally passes within one week in healthy adults, but can be deadly to young children and the elderly. The bacterium causes dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps between 2 and 8 days after the patient becomes ill, although in vulnerable people the illness can last much longer. Some people who develop the illness can become so sick that they develop kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome. The initial stages of the syndrome are marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output.

The USDA proposed a rule in July, which has now gone into effect, to immediately begin investigating ground beef manufacturers in the event of tests returning positive for e. Coli. Previously, the FSIS waited until the positive e. Coli test was confirmed, and then began an investigation of the ground beef manufacturing plant, as well as suppliers and retailers who had the contaminated ground beef at some point. Often, plant investigations would not begin until 30 days after the initial positive test, which could leave contaminated food on the market and leaving consumers vulnerable to e. Coli infection.

The new rule would mean more food recalls, more promptly:

“A critical component of preventing foodborne illness is quickly identifying sources of contamination and removing unsafe products from store shelves,” Brian Ronholm, deputy under secretary for food safety, said in a press release. “The expedited traceback procedures being announced today will allow FSIS to take action more quickly, which will make a significant difference in food safety investigations and in preventing foodborne illnesses.”

The Strom Law Firm Protects Citizens Harmed by Delayed Product or Food Recalls

The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm aim to protect our clients’ health and safety, and hold manufacturers to the highest possible standard of safety. Visit our site to view more recent food recalls. Product recalls are especially important because defective drugs, medical devices, food, and toys can seriously injure or even kill consumers. If you or a loved one have experienced severe, life-limiting side effects from a defective food, product or drug, and believe that your pain stems from a product, drug, or food recall that came too late, you may be entitled to compensation. The Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800