Millions of Pounds of Beef Recalled Due to Salmonella Concerns

If you thought that epic romaine lettuce recall was bad (which, by the way, is now over), you’re in for a rude awakening, because there’s another huge recall happening now: According to a recent report from the USDA, about 5 million pounds of raw beef that may have been contaminated by salmonella have been recalled.

CNN reports that a company called JBS Tolleson Inc. has recalled the tainted products, which were packaged between July 26 and September 7. Unfortunately the beef products in question have already been distributed to brands like Kroger, Laura’s Lean, and the JBS generic brand. If you’ve bought any of those brands of beef products, you should be on the safe side and throw them out or return them to the store where you purchased them. Not sure if your beef is affected? You can find a complete list of the recalled product labels on the USDA website.

The new recall is a so-called expansion of an earlier recall that took place in October, bringing the total amount of recalled raw beef to a staggering 12 million pounds. Since late November, the contaminated beef has made 246 people sick. Thankfully there have been no fatalities, but 56 people have been sent to the hospital.

This recall is serious, so don’t dismiss it. Remember to check your freezer for any beef that you might have stored there to cook later and check to see if it’s part of the recall. The USDA would also like to remind you that although you might prefer your burgers pink, your safest bet is to cook ground beef to 160°F. Although most people recover from salmonella, it can cause severe stomach cramps and fever. Even if you’re just a little suspicious your beef might be tainted, don’t mess with it. Until the CDC gives the all-clear, just stick to the turkey burgers, please.