E. coli Fears Prompt Ground Beef Recall from Grocery Store Chain

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently announced that a Florida-based grocery store chain was voluntarily recalling an undetermined amount of ground beef products made from chuck from its stores in twenty-four counties. The recall was initiated due to fears the beef may be contaminated with Escherichia coli.

According to the FSIS announcement, “E. coli O26, like the more common E. coli O157:H7, is a serovar of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). People can become ill from STECs 2–8 days (average of 3–4 days) after exposure to the organism. Most people infected with STEC O26 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of 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.”

Although the onset of illnesses in this case occurred back in July, there are concerns that some of the product in question may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Anyone who has purchased this ground beef is urged not to consume it and it should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

“An epidemiological investigation identified at least 18 case-patients associated with the ground beef products in question,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “To help prevent these types of outbreaks and costly product recalls, at EMSL we provide comprehensive testing for E. coli and other foodborne pathogens. These services can be utilized to test raw or final products and to confirm that surface cleaning and disinfection procedures in food processing and packing facilities are effective. We have five laboratories throughout Florida and dozens more across the country that offer testing services and sampling supplies.” 

To learn more about E. coli or other microbial pathogens and food testing services, please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

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Joseph Frasca

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EMSL ANalytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

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