Tyson Fresh Meats Recalls 16K Pounds of Ground Beef Due to Possible E. Coli Contamination

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The Tyson Fresh Meats plant, located at Dakota City, is recalling around 16,000 pounds of meat as ordered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS).

According to the Sioux City Journal, ground beef produced by the meat company is being recalled due to a possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. 

During a routine sampling, FSIS officials were alerted to the possibility of contamination among Tyson Frest Meat products.

Sioux Land News reports that the ground beef items that are being recalled were produced on May 16, 2015 and have a "best before freeze by" date of June 5, 2015. Each of the recalled Tyson Fresh Meats products is described as a 5 lb. Chubs of "80% Lean Ground Beef."

The reportedly contaminated Tyson products subject for recall also bear the establishment number "EST. 245C," which can be found inside the USDA mark of inspection.

In addition, Sioux Land News has learned that the product was shipped to a single distribution location in New York. 

The recall has been announced because the FSIS and the Dakota-based meat company are concerned that the contaminated products have been sold and stored by consumers in their home refrigerators or freezers.

According to the FSIS official website, there have been no reports of illness related to the consumption of the said product as of late. However, they have labeled the Tyson Meat recall as Class 1 Recall.

The FSIS report explains that E. coli O157:H7 is a "potentially deadly" bacterium. Symtoms of E. Coli include: dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps for 2–8 days or 3–4 day on average.

The O157:H7 strain of E. coli, in particular, causes severe anemia or kidney failure, which can lead to death, reports Web MD.

The FSIS report specifically mentions a type of kidney failure that could develop after being exposed to E. coli, called hymolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The syndrome is most common in children under age 5 and older adults. HUS symptoms include: easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. 

FSIS recommends people who have the symptoms of HUS to seek immediate medical care.

Additionally, FSIS advises that consumers cook raw meat products, either fresh or frozen, at a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure safety.

Cooking ground beef at high temperature is the only way to kill harmful bacteria that may be residing in the meat. To check the temperature of the meat, the FSIS suggests using a food thermometer.