By: Richard L. Smith
A Kansas meat packing company recalled approximately 3,436 pounds of boneless beef chuck product that may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli(STEC) O103, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Monday.
Elkhorn Valley Packing, a Harper, Kansas, said the boneless beef chuck items were packed on Feb. 16, 2023.
- Various weights corrugated boxes containing “Elkhorn Valley Pride Angus Beef 61226 BEEF CHUCK 2PC BNLS; Packed on 2/16/23.” The complete list of serial numbers and box count numbers for the boneless beef chuck product subject to recall can be found here.
According to The USDA, the product subject to recall bears the establishment number “EST. M-19549” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
These items were shipped to distributors, federal establishments, retail locations, and wholesale locations, which include hotels, restaurants, and institutions in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The problem was discovered when FSIS was conducting routine FSIS testing of ground beef derived from this product, and the sample confirmed positive for STEC O103. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products.
Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103, because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7. People can become ill from STECs 2–8 days (average of 3–4 days) after consuming the organism.
Health officials said most people infected with STEC O103 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing 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.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is uncommon with STEC O103 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under five, older adults, and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output.
Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Distributors and other customers who have purchased these products for further processing should not use them or further distribute them.
These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.