Hold the burgers! Nearly 43,000 lbs of ground beef has been recalled this week due to a possible E. Coli contamination. The beef products produced by Lakeside Refrigerated Services in Swedesboro, N.J. have been sold by Walmart and other retailers around the country.

Each of the seven recalled ground beef products have a manufacturing date of June 1st and an establishment number "EST. 46841" inside of the USDA mark of inspection. A routine recall effectiveness check led to the discovery of the contamination.

According to click2houston.com, the list of products are quoted from the site:

•"1-lb. vacuum packages containing 'MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF' and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.

•1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of 'MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES' and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.

•3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of 'MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF' 93% LEAN / 7% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.

•1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of 'THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES' 85% LEAN / 15% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.

•4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of 'THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES' 80% LEAN / 20% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.

•1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of 'THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES' 85% LEAN / 15% FAT" and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.

•1-lb. vacuum packages containing 'VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT' and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18."

E. Coli is a bacteria that typically lives in the intestines or the stomach of animals. Although, most of these organisms are harmless and assist in normal digestive function. That being said, if food has been contaminated and ingested it can cause severe adverse reactions. The symptoms usually crop up 3-4 days after initial contact. This particular strain in question produces common side effects including cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less common symptoms can be life threatening. Much to every parents horror, it can also cause acute kidney failure in children.

Children under 5 are most at risk of suffering from illness and complications. If a child is exposed to contaminated meat, medical advice should be sought. The older the child, the less severe the symptoms may be, however, due to the consistent evacuation of stomach contents dehydration can occur.

Although cooking beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit will kill illness causing bacteria, it is often a much safer idea to just dispose of or return the recalled food product. Often, you can take the recalled items back to the store where you purchased them (provided you have the proof of purchase) and they will be able to handle the item and resolve the issue with you.

Cute little Latin girl eating a hamburger and looking up towards copy space
Credit: iStock

Best practice is to always take food recalls seriously and ensure the food is not ingested, especially by children. When a recall is issued, be sure to diligently check all of the products that are potentially in question. If you are not sure if a product is safe or are still concerned about the possibility of contamination despite it not being on the list, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer by phone or by email. If you feel confident that your product is not included in the recall, simply ensure the internal temperature reaches the food safety guidelines of 160 degrees fahrenheit. Double check that your child's burger is cooked thoroughly, with no signs of pink in the thickest most central part of the patty. Never hesitate to call a nurse advice line if you feel your child is suffering from any kind of food borne illness.

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