Wolverine Packing Co. Recalls Over 160,000 Pounds of Ground Beef Due to E. Coli Contamination

Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. has issued a recall for 167,277 pounds of ground beef products due to potential contamination with E. coli bacteria. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on Thursday, stating that the affected products were distributed to restaurants nationwide.

The products in question bear the establishment number "EST. 2574B" inside the USDA mark of inspection and include both fresh foods with a “use by” date of November 14 and frozen items produced on October 22.

The issue came to light when the Minnesota Department of Agriculture reported multiple cases of illness linked to ground beef consumption. FSIS was notified of the illnesses on November 13 and collaborated with state officials to identify the source.

By Wednesday, a sample of the ground beef tested positive for E. coli, confirming the contamination. So far, 15 people in Minnesota have been identified as having fallen ill, with symptoms appearing between November 2 and November 10.

FSIS has expressed concern that some contaminated products may still be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers.

Restaurants are strongly advised not to serve these products and to either dispose of them or return them to their supplier. Consumers who are worried about a possible illness after consuming ground beef should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

E. coli is a serious bacterium that can cause symptoms such as dehydration, abdominal cramps, and bloody diarrhea, typically within two to eight days of exposure. While most people recover within a week, the bacteria can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition marked by kidney failure.

HUS is most common in young children and older adults and is characterized by symptoms like easy bruising, pale skin, and reduced urine output. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to seek emergency medical attention.

Wolverine Packing Co. emphasized its commitment to food safety and cooperation with the USDA and FSIS during the investigation.

"Wolverine has notified all customers that received product encompassed by the recall.We are also conducting an intensive internal audit to fully review suppliers and processes in place, including rigorous quality control measures, to maintain the highest standards of production," the company said. The company added that as a third-generation, family-owned business with nearly 90 years of history, ensuring consumer safety remains its highest priority.

Wolverine Packing Co., headquartered on Rivard Street in Detroit’s Eastern Market district, is a major supplier of protein products, stocking over 250 brands and 4,000 different items, including meat and seafood.

The company, founded in 1937 as a lamb and veal processor, has since expanded its operations to include a wide variety of products.

This is not the first time Wolverine has faced an E. coli-related recall. In 2014, the company recalled 1.8 million pounds of ground beef after 11 people in four states fell ill.

The current recall underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the food industry in maintaining strict safety standards to prevent contamination and protect public health.

The list of recalled ground beef product codes can be found here.