CS Beef Packers recalls more than 11 tons of ground beef because of E. coli contamination

CS Beef Packers LLC, of Kuna, ID, is recalling 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O145, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw ground beef items were produced on Jan. 14. The following products are subject to recall:

• Cardboard cases containing eight 10-pound chubs of “BEEF, COARSE GROUND, 73 L” with case code 18601, “Use/Freeze By: 02/04/26” and time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32 printed on two stickers placed on the outside of the case. The date and time stamps are also printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub.
• Cardboard cases containing four 10-pound chubs of “FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 73L” with case code 19583, “Use/Freeze By: 02/04/26” and time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32 printed on two stickers placed on the outside of the case. The date and time stamps are also printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub.
• Cardboard cases containing four 10-pound chubs of “FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 81L” with case code 19563, “Use/Freeze By: 02/04/26” and time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32 printed on two stickers placed on the outside of the case. The date and time stamps are also printed directly onto the clear packaging of the chub.

The products subject to recall have the establishment number “EST. 630” printed inside the USDA mark of inspection on the outside of the case and printed directly onto the clear packaging of each chub. These items were shipped to distributors in California, Idaho, and Oregon for further distribution to foodservice locations.          

The problem was discovered during FSIS testing at a downstream customer, and the sampling results showed the presence of E. coli O145.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. 

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled ground beef and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications.

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.