Ground beef sold at Kroger and other grocery stores has tested positive for contamination with E. coli O157:H7, leading to a mass recall.

A statement issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Th, Jan half dozen, confirmed ground beef sold by Kroger, WinCo, Walmart and Albertsons is being recalled.

The ground beef products existence recalled have the establishment number "EST. 965" within the USDA marking of inspection or printed next to the time postage and use or freeze by date.

A statement issued by the USDA'southward Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed these items were shipped to retail locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

The bacteria E. coli is capable of causing hemorrhagic diarrhea and kidney failure, particularly in children younger than v, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

Although most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure chosen hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is recognizable by like shooting fish in a barrel bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical intendance.

People with HUS will probable be hospitalized because the status tin can crusade other serious and ongoing problems such every bit hypertension, chronic kidney disease, encephalon damage, and neurologic problems.

The food safety section has warned people to be vigilant, as potentially harmful products could already be in circulation.

The agency wrote: "FSIS is concerned that some product may exist 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."

A Kroger spokesperson told Consumer Reports: "Food safety is our top priority," and said the retailer has began an investigation and contacted the supplier.

FSIS advises people to prepare their raw meat products safely and to only eat ground beef cooked to 160F (71C).

The but way to confirm ground beef is cooked to a temperature sufficient to kill harmful leaner is with a food thermometer measuring internal temperature.

A spokesperson for Kroger told Newsweek: "We urge customers who accept purchased the afflicted product to dispose of it or return it to their local store for a total refund.

"Additionally, customers who have questions may contact Kroger at 1-800-KROGERS Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.one thousand. to 9:30 p.m. ET."

Beef Products Recalled

WinCo, Fresh Ground Beefiness Sirloin ninety%
lean – 10% fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 18:37 through 18:48 L3, 1/11/2022

Wal-Mart, All Natural Footing Beef
90% lean 10% fat, 16 oz. (ane lb.) chub, 18:49 through 19:18 L3, 1/11/2022

WinCo, Fresh Basis Beef 93% lean - vii%
fat, xvi oz. (1 lb.) chub, xix:nineteen through 21:14 L3,
Use/Freeze by 1/xi/22

Kroger, Kroger Basis Beef 93%
lean vii% fat, 16 oz. (one lb.) chub, 19:19 through 21:14 L3, Utilise/Freeze by ane/11/22

Albertsons, Signature Farms Basis Beef
93% LEAN/7% Fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 19:19 through 21:fourteen L3, Use/Freeze by ane/11/22

Wal-Mart, All Natural Lean Footing Beef
93% lean 7% fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 21:15 through 22:42 L3, 1/11/2022

Wal-Mart, All Natural Basis Beef 93% lean vii% fatty
48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 18:15 through 21:eighteen L1, i/11/2022

Win-Co, Fresh Basis Beef 93%
Lean - vii% fat, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 18:xv through 21:18 L1, 1/11/2022

Kroger, Ground Beefiness 93% LEAN 7%
FAT, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 18:xv through 21:18 L1, 1/11/2022

Albertsons, Signature Farms Ground Beef
93% lean vii% fat, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, eighteen:xv through 21:18 L1, i/xi/2022

Wal-Mart, All Natural Ground Beefiness
93% LEAN seven% FAT, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 21:00 through 22:19 L2, 1/xi/2022

Ground Beef Recall
The U.Due south. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced the retrieve of thousands of pounds of footing beef sergeyryzhov/Getty Images

Update 1/vii/22, 8:57 a.k. ET: This article was updated to include comment from a Kroger spokesperson.