On August 30, 2018, Publix Super Markets Inc. issued a voluntary recall on an undetermined amount of ground beef products made from chuck that may be contaminated with Escherichia coli, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) release. To date, there are 15 E. coli cases in Florida associated with the recalled ground beef product.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider. Shiga-producing E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

The purchased products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

The Florida Department of Health advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

For more information, please see the FSIS press release.