USDA Recalls 167K lb of Ground Beef

Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit, MI company, is recalling approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported.

The fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024 and the frozen products are labeled with production date 10/22/24. Here is the full list of recalled ground beef.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide. 

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill persons who had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness.

FSIS was notified of illnesses on Nov. 13, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, the agency found a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster. On Nov. 20, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for E. coli O157. To date, 15 patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from Nov. 2 - 10.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products, which should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

The agency will continue to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on this investigation.

In a statement to The Detroit News, Wolverine Packing Co. said it is working closely with the USDA and FSIS in the investigation.

Founded in 1937, Wolverine Packing Co. is in its third generation of family ownership. The company started out as a lamb and veal processor. According to their website, the company stocks more than 250 brands & 4,000 different protein products.