Recall Issued for Walmart Ground Beef and Martinelli's Apple Juice

A recent announcement by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed that over 16,000 pounds of ground beef have been recalled due to potential contamination with E coli bacteria.

The affected ground beef originates from Cargill Meat Solutions, in Hazleton, PA. The USDA issued a "high class" warning on Wednesday, prompting the recall. This beef was distributed to Walmart locations throughout the US.

Ground beef from Cargill Meat Solutions.

Image credits: New York Post

Identified by an establishment ID of "EST 86P," the recalled packages were produced between April 26 and April 27 and bear the USDA mark of inspection. The packaging does not explicitly mention Cargill. The affected products include various types of ground beef, such as "93% lean, 7% fat all-natural lean ground beef," prime rib beef steak burgers, and "85% lean, 15% fat all-natural premium ground beef."

Furthermore, packages of "80% lean, 20% fat all-natural ground beef chuck," along with 4-packs of ground beef chuck patties and ground beef sirloin patties, are also part of the recall. In total, the recall encompasses 16,243 pounds of meat.

Consumers are advised to return any of these items to the place of purchase or discard them immediately.

According to the CDC, call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe E coli symptoms: ²

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving.
• Bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down.
• Signs of dehydration such as: Not peeing much, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.

In a recent development, Martinelli's, a renowned apple juice producer, has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of its products sold at major retailers across the US, including Target, Whole Foods, and Publix. The recall comes in response to levels of inorganic arsenic detected in the juice, surpassing the safety standards set by the FDA.

Bottle of Martinellis Apple Juice.

Image credits: New York Post

According to a report by USA Today, the affected lot comprises one-liter glass bottles with a "best by" date of either March 9, 2026 or March 20, 2026. The precise size of the recalled lot, typically indicating the quantity of a product manufactured during a single production run, has not been immediately disclosed.

Consumers who have purchased Martinelli's apple juice with the specified "best by" dates are urged to check their bottles and refrain from consuming the product. The recall extends to bottles distributed to stores between March 13, 2023, and September 27, 2023, and which are also available for purchase at Kroger and Winn-Dixie outlets.

Concerns about inorganic arsenic levels in the juice arose after the State of Maryland conducted testing on a sample from the affected lot. The results revealed arsenic levels exceeding the guidance set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Inorganic arsenic exposure can lead to acute arsenic poisoning, posing serious health risks to consumers.

“Inorganic arsenic compounds (such as those found in water) are highly toxic while organic arsenic compounds (such as those found in seafood) are less harmful to health,” according to WHO. “Acute effects The immediate symptoms of acute arsenic poisoning include vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These are followed by numbness and tingling of the extremities, muscle cramping, and death, in extreme cases.”⁴

These recalls serve as a reminder of the importance of food safety and thorough inspection of products before consumption. It is important to stay updated and informed for further updates on these developing situations as the investigations continue.

References

1. More than 16,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Walmart recalled over E. coli contamination. New York Post. Published May 2, 2024. Accessed May 3, 2024. https://nypost.com/2024/05/02/business/over-16k-pounds-of-ground-beef-sold-at-walmart-recalled-over-e-coli-contamination/
2. Abene S. FDA Recall on Organic Walnuts Linked to E coli Outbreak. ContagionLive. Published May 1, 2024. Accessed May 3, 2024. https://www.contagionlive.com/view/fda-investigating-multistate-outbreak-of-e-coli-infections-linked-to-organic-walnuts
3. Thaler S. Martinelli’s recalls apple juice sold at Target, Whole Foods over high arsenic levels. New York Post. Published April 30, 2024. Accessed May 3, 2024. https://nypost.com/2024/04/30/business/martinellis-recalls-apple-juice-sold-at-target-whole-foods-over-high-arsenic-levels/
4. WHO. Arsenic. Published December 7, 2022. Accessed May 3, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/arsenic#:~:text=The%20immediate%20symptoms%20of%20acute,and%20death%2C%20in%20extreme%20cases.