The USDA has issued a Public Health Alert for some ground beef that was shipped with HelloFresh delivered meal kits. The concern is over possible E. Coli contamination.

If you have been a customer of HelloFresh meal kits delivered to your home, please double check your freezer for ground beef.  According to the Public Health alert, "The meal kits containing ground beef for this public health alert were shipped to consumers from July 2-21, 2022."

10-oz. plastic vacuum-packed packages containing “GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN/15% FAT” with codes “EST#46481 L1 22 155” or “EST#46481 L5 22 155” on the side of the packaging.

What's the difference between a recall and a public health alert? Since the products are no longer available for purchase, a recall was not issued. That doesn't mean that the ground beef in question isn't still in people's freezers. If these packages are found, they should be thrown away.

If you know a friend of family member who uses the service, please let them know about the health alert. E. Coli is nothing to mess around with. It is generally spread via contaminated food. The bacteria can be life threatening to the very young, the very old, or anyone in compromised health. (Raw vegetables and ground beef are common items that can become contaminated with E. Coli.)

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According to the Mayo Clinic: "Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection usually begin three or four days after exposure to the bacteria. But you may become ill as soon as one day after exposure to more than a week later." Signs and symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea, which may range from mild and watery to severe and bloody
  • Stomach cramping, pain or tenderness
  • Nausea and vomiting, in some people

FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health partners are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 and raw ground beef is the probable source of the reported illnesses.

Traceback information identified that multiple case-patients received ground beef produced at establishment M46841 and distributed by HelloFresh in meal kits from July 2-21, 2022.

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