E. Coli Outbreak: Massive Restaurant Ground Beef Recall

Eleven people in four states have been sickened by an E. coli outbreak from 1.8 million pounds of ground beef products produced for restaurant use by Wolverine Packing Company of Detroit, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS). The products were produced between March 31, 2014 and April 18, 2014.

The company issued the voluntary recall early Monday, noting that the size of the issue stems from "lack of microbiological independence between lot production, as well as a deficiency in supportive record-keeping by distributors." The meat products were shipped to distributors in Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio, with five E. coli illnesses confirmed from the products and a sixth suspected case still in question. All six reported eating a rare hamburger at a restaurant prior to becoming ill. Four illnesses have also been confirmed in Ohio, with illness dates ranging from April 22 to May 2 for Massachusetts and Missouri, where one reported case was also noted.

As the agencies continue to pursue investigation regarding the outbreak and any new illnesses, health officials discuss the risks with this type of E. coli.

Like other types of E. coli, E. coli O157 can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and nausea. However, for those who do not recover quickly, it can lead to kidney failure and in some cases, even death.

The products bear the establishment number "EST. 2574B" and will have a production date code in the format "Packing Nos: MM DD 14" between "03 31 14" and "04 18 14." 

For a complete list of the recalled products, click here.