The Food Safety Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a recall of over 160,000 pounds of ground beef products that were distributed to restaurants around the country because they may have been contaminated with E. coli.

Wolverine Packing Co., based in Michigan, announced the recall, which affects 167,277 pounds of ground beef, according to a press release. According to the announcement, over 100 ground beef products, both fresh and frozen, were recalled.

The FSIS states that frozen products were labeled with a manufacturing date of October 22, 2024, and fresh products have a “use by” date of November 14, 2024. Restaurants around the country were asked by the FSIS to look in refrigerators and freezers for the products, discard them, or send them back to the store where they were purchased.

According to the announcement, the issue was identified when a group of persons in Minnesota became unwell after eating ground beef. Officials found a connection between the sickness cluster and Wolverine ground beef products after notifying FSIS of the illnesses on November 13. According to officials, a ground beef sample that was gathered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of the investigation into the epidemic tested positive for E. coli on November 20.

According to the announcement, 15 persons in Minnesota became ill after consuming the beef, with symptoms appearing between November 2 and November 10.

The release did not list any other states or ailments.

The recall coincides with a multi-state organic carrot recall that involved E. coli concerns and resulted in the illnesses of over 40 persons in 18 states. According to officials, 15 of the individuals were admitted to hospitals.

Additionally, the incident occurs weeks after a fatal E. coli epidemic at McDonald’s that was connected to sliced onions on Quarter Pounder hamburgers.

Signs of E. Coli to look out for

The majority of E. coli infections result in vomiting, diarrhea, and excruciating stomach cramps, according to the CDC. After consuming the bacteria, symptoms usually start to show up three to four days later, and most people recover in five to seven days.

Among the symptoms are

Frequent diarrhea and fever (>102°F)

More than three days of diarrhea that doesn’t go better
Diarrhea with blood

You are vomiting so much that you are unable to drink enough water.
Symptoms of dehydration include

Having little urination
Dry throat and mouth
Having lightheadedness when getting up

E. Coli

The bacteria known as Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is often found “in the intestines of healthy people and animals,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

The majority of E. coli strains are either benign or only produce mild diarrhea. However, some strains… might result in vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and excruciating stomach pains,” the doctors noted.

Contaminated food or water, especially raw vegetables or undercooked ground beef, might expose people to the bacteria.