A National Health Alert has been issued for ground beef that is possibly contaminated with E.coli.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the ALERT to warn consumers NOT TO EAT select Greater Omaha Packing Company Inc.’s ground beef.

It’s not a recall, as the products are no longer available for purchase, but could be in freezers, according to the USDA.  The raw ground beef items were produced on March 28th, and they have a Use/Freeze by date of April 22nd and packaging date of 032824.

The products bear the establishment number EST. 960A, inside the USDA inspection mark; the items were shipped to food service institutions and retailers nationwide.  There have been NO confirmed reports of illness, related to the products but anyone concerned with illness should their healthcare provider.  The E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium, which can easily cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps or a combination – generally occurring 2 to 8 days after exposure.

Most people recover within a week but there is a risk for development of a type of kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome) which is especially dangerous for people younger than 5 and also older adults.

Anyone with questions regarding that alert should call – “Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc.” at (402) 575-4702

(www.AL.COM)