Salmonella Outbreak Prompts Ground Beef Recall

Time to check your freezers. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says they're recalling more than 12 million pounds of ground beef due to a possible Salmonella Newport contamination. 

The recall was initiated by an Arizona-based company, JBS Tolleson, Inc., on products from dates between July 26, 2018 to Sept. 7, 2018. The products subject to recall include the establishment number "EST. 267" inside the USDA mark of inspection. 

Consumers are being urged to throw away the possibly contaminated products, and not consume them. They can also be returned to the place of purchase, the agency said. 

The recalled items were shipped to retail locations and institutions nationwide, according to the recall notice from the FSIS. 

People who consume food contaminated with Salmonella can come down with salmonellosis, one of the most common food-borne illnesses. Symptoms of salmonellosis include; diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. 

Most people are able to recover without treatment, but in some severe cases people need to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. 

The FSIS says consumers should safely prepare all raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, by cooking the ground beef to a temperature of 160°F. Other cuts of beef should be cooked to a temperature of 145°F and allowed to rest for at least 3 minutes. 

If you have questions about the ground beef recall, you can called the JBS USA Consumer Hotline at (800) 727-2333, or use the "Ask Karen" FSIS virtual representative. 

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