E. Coli Scare Leads to Recall of Another 100,000 Pounds of Ground Beef in California and other States

A major distributor of ground beef just issued its second recall in the last two months after testing positive for E. Coli in one of its samples. The company is recalling beef sold at wholesalers and supermarkets across multiple states including California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Continue reading for details about the recall, and contact a seasoned California products liability lawyer if you or a loved one has been hurt by a faulty product.

Beef Distributor Recalls 100,000 Pounds of Ground Beef After Previous 6.9 Million Pound Recall

According to a press release from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a division of the United States Department of Agriculture, Swift Beef Company is recalling 99,260 pounds of raw ground beef products due to fear that the beef is contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Swift Beef is a subsidiary of JBS USA, the largest processor of fresh beef and pork in the world. Swift Beef products are sold across the country in retail grocery chains like Ralphs, wholesalers, and in restaurants. According to the FSIS, Swift beef recalled a variety of “blue ribbon BEEF” ground beef products, packaged for sale to consumers, as well as 2,000-pound bulk pallets of Swift Ground Beef Fine Grind Combo. The recalled products were packaged on October 24, 2018, and the affected product labels can be viewed here.

According to the FSIS, the problem was discovered on November 15, 2018 when FSIS visited Swift Beef Company after a sample of their beef tested positive for E. coli. This is the second recall issued by Swift Beef in as many months. In October, Swift Beef recalled around 6.9 million pounds of beef after the beef was connected to a 25-state salmonella outbreak that affected more than 200 people.

Exposure to Contaminated Beef

People who have consumed beef from any of the contaminated batches should immediately see a doctor to make sure that they have not been infected by harmful bacteria. FSIS reports that E. coli contamination can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2-8 days after exposure. In some extreme cases, particularly among children under five and the elderly, people exposed to E. coli can develop kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney failure include easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urination. Anyone who suffers as a result of eating contaminated meat should contact a products liability attorney to make sure that the manufacturers and sellers of that meat are held responsible for any damages caused.

FSIS and other food safety experts recommend the following tips to avoid E-coli infections:

• Cook all food thoroughly, including cooking ground beef to a temperature of 165°F
• Avoid unpasteurized dairy products and juices
• Wash your hands regularly
• While swimming, especially in public pools, avoid swallowing any water

If you have been hurt by a contaminated food or other product in the Antelope Valley, talk to a dedicated and passionate personal injury attorney about pursuing a claim for damages by calling the Kistler Law Firm in Palmdale at 661-206-6990.