More Than 6,700 Pounds of Ground Beef Are Being Recalled in 4 States

The beginning of January often calls for lower-carb dinners, healthy chili, and other protein-rich meals. However if you’re seeking out beef at the store or on a menu, on December 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that over 6,700 pounds of raw ground beef were being recalled in four states due to the potential presence of E. coli O157:H7.

Valley Meats, LLC, an Illinois-based company that produces and distributes breaded meats for frying, pork products, and ground beef products that include pre-made burger patties from Angus, brisket, chuck and sirloin, notified the FSIS that routine testing of its products detected presence of the dangerous bacteria.

The potentially contaminated meat was shipped to distributors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan—and from there, it may have reached restaurants and other institutions. All the products involved in the recall were produced on December 22, 2023, and most have a “use by” date of January 15, 2024.

Restaurants and institutions can identify the packages by looking for “EST. 5712” inside the USDA mark of inspection, along with the following information:

• 12-lb. box package containing “ANGUS GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with product code 1208PL, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 7:36:38 AM to 08:00:48 AM.
• 16-lb. box packages containing “ANGUS GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with product code 1253PL, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 7:25:50 AM to 08:00:36 AM.
• 28-lb. box package containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72287, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 12:44:00 PM to 12:54:32 PM.
• 28-lb. box packaging containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72287, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamp 1:02:55 PM.
• 24-lb. box packaging containing “Ground Beef Patties” with product code 72284, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 1:10:09 PM to 1:10:17 PM.
• 13.5-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with product code 1103, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, Use By 01/15/2024, and time stamps between 1:41:55:55 PM to 1:57:53 PM.
• 20-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF” with product code 8515, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, and time stamps between 1:16:24 PM to 1:31:15 PM.
• 40-lb. box packaging containing “GROUND BEEF” with product code 8020VP, Run No. 3356GRDB, date code 231222, and time stamps between 1:34:54 PM to 2:00:49 PM.

While there have been no confirmed reports of illnesses caused by these products, the FSIS notes that potentially contaminated meat could be in the refrigerators and freezers of restaurants or institutions. Any ground beef that matches the product descriptions above should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. For more information, reach out to Daniel Mapes at 309-799-7341 Ext: 229 or at [email protected].

Symptoms and prevention of E. coli infection

The symptoms of E. coli infection can vary from person to person, but often start within three to five days according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A person might experience stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with a potential fever. Young children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems could have more severe presentations.

If you do become sick and suspect something you ate, contact a healthcare provider. Also, report any suspected food poisoning issues to the FSIS’s Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System to help them investigate and track any potential issues.

When preparing food, always follow the CDC’s guidelines:

• Keep meats separate from other foods during transport.
• Always wash hands and all surfaces thoroughly during preparation and cooking.
• Be sure to cook all food to the recommended safe temperature and test that temperature with a reliable food thermometer. (Ground beef, for example, should reach 160°F.) 
• And, most important, never consume any food that’s been subject to a recall.

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