(NEWSnet) – A public health alert was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service for ground beef products produced March 28 that may be contaminated with E. coli.

The alert means that those food items should not be eaten. The meat can be thrown out, or returned to the place of purchase.

“A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase,” the food safety announcement said. “There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products.’

The alert, issued Saturday, is for a list of raw ground beef items produced March 28, with packing date shown as 032824. The beef also is labeled with a “use/freeze by” date of April 22, and establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The company involved with this case reported they had set aside some meat that was contaminated, and during inventory procedures realized some of it may have crossed over into meat packaged for customers.

These items were shipped to food service institutions and retail locations nationwide.

The bacterium E. coli can cause dehydration, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, typically three to four days after exposure. While most people will recover within a week, children under age 5 and older adults may have more serious complications.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service advises cooking ground beef to a temperature of 160 F, using a food thermometer to test the heat.              

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