Beef Sold at Sam's Club, Target Recalled Nationwide

More than 132,000 pounds of ground beef recalled last week over E. Coli concerns was sold at Target, Sam's Club and other retailers nationwide, federal health officials announced Tuesday. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture just released a list of grocery stores that sold the recalled beef products. They include: 

• Aldi (Stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin)

• Sam's Club (Nationwide)

• Target (Nationwide)

• Meijer (Nationwide)

• Safeway/Albertson's (Nationwide)

• Vons (Stores in California)

• Pak N Save (Stores in California)

Click here to see the full list.

Cargill Meat Solutions issued the recall on Sept. 19.

The beef products were identified after an investigation into an E. coli outbreak, which had resulted in 17 illnesses and one death since Aug. 16, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said in a statement.

Each patient had consumed ground beef products purchased at various retail stores that were supplied by Cargill Meat Solutions, according to FSIS. 

The items carry an “EST. 86R” label inside the USDA mark of inspection, and were produced and packaged on June 21.

Here's a full list of the recalled products (view labels at this link):

• 3-lb. chubs of “OUR CERTIFIED 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a USE OR FREEZE BY JUL/11/18 and case code 00228749057646.

• 3-lb. chubs of “OUR CERTIFIED 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a USE OR FREEZE BY JUL/11/18 and case code 00228749002653.

• 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 00228749089098.

• 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 73/27 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749002751.

• 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 81/19 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749003536.

• 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 00228749003568.

• 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749402773.

• 20-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 81/19 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF COMBO” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749073935.

• 10-lb. chubs of “Sterling Silver CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 00228749702416.

• 10-lb. chubs of “CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 and case code 90028749802405.

• 10-lb. chubs of “CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF CHUCK GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a Use/Frz. By Jul 11 with case code 00228749802413.

• 10-lb. chubs of “Fire River Farms CLASSIC GROUND BEEF 81/19 FINE GRIND” with a USE/FREEZE BY: 07/11/2018 with case code 90734730297241.

E. Coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and severe stomach cramps, with the symptoms occurring one to 10 days after exposure. Most people recover within a week, but those with weakened immune systems may develop a more severe infection.

Federal health officials are concerned that some customers may be storing the tainted beef in their refrigerators or freezers. The agency advises anyone who bought the product to throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.