Coli Fears Impact 16,000 Pounds of Meat Sold at Walmart Stores in 11 States

USDA Issues Recall Notice for Ground Beef

Over 16,000 pounds of raw ground beef sold at Walmart stores nationwide have been recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli, according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The recall was announced on Thursday, March 17, 2023.

The FSIS issued the recall after being notified by the Nebraska Beef plant, which produced the ground beef, that the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a strain of bacteria that can cause serious foodborne illness. The recalled beef was produced on March 4, 2023, and has a sell-by date of March 19, 2023.

The recalled beef was sold in 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Texas. The beef was packaged in plastic-wrapped trays containing 93 percent lean, 7 percent fat, all-natural lean ground beef with a lot number of 4082.

The FSIS advises consumers not to eat the recalled ground beef and to return it to the store where it was purchased. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Walmart at 1-800-925-6278.

E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe foodborne illness, including abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever. In some cases, it can also cause more serious health problems, such as kidney failure and even death.