Two Utah companies have recalled a combined nearly 100,000 pounds of meat after an inspection found evidence of E. coli in samples of their raw ground beef.
The bulk of the meat — approximately 99,260 pounds — come from the Hyrum-based Swift Beef Co. About 530 pounds of ground beef products from the Salt Lake City-based Majestic Meat Company were also recalled, according to a news release from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Majestic Meat Company ground beef patties, bulk ground beef and 10-pound packages of beef, pork and veal meatballs that were sent to Utah restaurants were affected by the recall. All products involved in the recall show “EST. 19915” printed inside the USDA inspection mark.
Swift Beef Co. eight to 10-pound packages of course ground beef and 2,000-pound bulk pallets of fine ground beef, all sent for further processing or food distributors in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Utah were recalled. Affected products bear “EST. 628” inside the USDA inspection mark.
Both companies' beef samples tested positive Thursday for a potentially deadly type of E. coli bacterium, which can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps. While many people recover from exposure within a week, some people maybe develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.
Symptoms for hemolytic uremic syndrome include pale skin, easy bruising and increase urine output. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should seek medical care, according the release.
So far, officials haven’t confirmed any reports of anyone becoming ill after eating the affected beef.