More than 167,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to restaurants nationwide was recalled

More than 167,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to restaurants nationwide was recalled after illnesses were reported in Minnesota, according to CNN.

Wolverine Packing Co. is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to restaurants due to possible E. coli contamination.

So far, 15 patients have been reported ill in Minnesota, with illnesses starting from November 2 to November 10, the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service said Wednesday.

Fresh products have a use by date of Nov. 14. Frozen products are labeled with production date of Oct. 22. Products have an establishment number EST. 2574B in the USDA mark of inspection.

Items were shipped to restaurants nationwide, the FSIS said, and it’s concerned that some products may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. All the products should be thrown away or returned and should not be eaten.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture notified FSIS on November 13 about illnesses in people who had eaten ground beef. On November 20, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture tested positive for E. coli O157.

People with E. coli infections may have symptoms including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Symptoms of infection usually begin three or four days after swallowing the bacteria. Although most people who become ill recover without treatment within a week, others can develop serious kidney problems and require hospitalization.

Thoroughly cooking meat, especially ground beef, can destroy E. coli bacteria. Ground beef should be cooked until it is no longer pink and juices run clear. When cooking hamburgers, the meat thermometer should read 160 degrees in the thickest part of the hamburger patty and the patty should not be pink inside.

If you have traveler’s diarrhea from an E. coli infection in your intestines, your doctor may have you:

Drink lots of fluids
Take a medicine that slows down diarrhea
Take antibiotics, if you have a lot of diarrhea
Your doctor won’t have you take antibiotics if your diarrhea is bloody.

If you have an E. coli infection in your bladder, urinary tract, or elsewhere in your body, your doctor will have you:

Take antibiotics

How can I prevent E. coli infections?

Wash your hands after you use the bathroom or change a diaper
Always wash your hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils after you touch raw meat
Cook beef to a temperature of 160°F (71°C) or higher before eating it—usually gray or brown inside, not pink or red
Avoid raw milk, other dairy products, and juices that aren’t pasteurized (a heat treatment that kills bacteria)
Avoid swallowing water in lakes, ponds, streams, or pools
Women should wipe from front to back and avoid the use of tight underwear to help prevent urinary tract and bladder infections