Federal regulators have issued an urgent public health meat recall alert for approximately 32,000 pounds of ground beef products from a Nebraska-based producer due to potential contamination with a dangerous strain of E. coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall Friday, warning consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for the affected items.
Key Recall Information at a Glance
| Key Fact | Detail |
| Product Recalled | Approximately 32,000 pounds of raw ground beef. |
| Reason for Recall | Potential contamination with E. coli O157:H7. |
| Affected States | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. |
| Consumer Action | Do not consume. Discard the product or return it to the place of purchase. |
Details of the FSIS Meat Recall Alert
The voluntary recall was initiated by Value Packers Inc., a company based in Omaha, Nebraska, after routine product testing by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) identified the potential presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157:H7. The affected ground beef items were produced on August 11, 2025, and shipped to distributors and retail locations across nine Midwestern states.
As of the announcement, there have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. However, the FSIS has classified this as a Class I recall, which signifies “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
“FSIS is working to ensure that the recalled products are removed from commerce and that the public is aware of the risk,” the agency said in a formal statement. “We urge consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them.”
How to Identify Affected Products
Consumers are advised to check for ground beef products produced by Value Packers Inc. on the specified date. The recalled items can be identified by looking for the establishment number “EST. 9650” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging.
The recall applies to several specific product lines, including:
- 1-lb. vacuum-sealed packages of “VALUE PACKERS 93% LEAN / 7% FAT GROUND BEEF” with a “Use or Freeze By” date of 08/25/2025.
- 2-lb. vacuum-sealed packages of “VALUE PACKERS 85% LEAN / 15% FAT GROUND BEEF” with a “Use or Freeze By” date of 08/25/2025.
- 10-lb. bulk packages of “VALUE PACKERS GROUND BEEF PATTIES” with a “Use or Freeze By” date of 08/25/2025.
What Consumers Should Do
FSIS officials and food safety experts recommend that consumers examine any ground beef products stored in their refrigerators or freezers. If the product matches the recall description, it should not be cooked or consumed. Instead, it should be thrown away immediately or returned to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Value Packers Inc.’s dedicated hotline or visit the FSIS website for more information.
The Health Risks of E. coli O157:H7
This particular type of bacterial contamination poses a significant health threat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), STEC O157:H7 is a bacterium that can cause severe illness. Infection typically leads to symptoms like severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
Symptoms usually develop within three to four days after ingesting the contaminated food. While most people recover within a week, some infections can be life-threatening. The most vulnerable populations include young children, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
In some cases, infection can lead to a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The CDC states that HUS is most common in children under five and can result in serious long-term health problems or even death. Anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly bloody diarrhea, after consuming ground beef should seek immediate medical attention.
Regulatory Oversight and Food Safety Context
This recall highlights the role of federal agencies in monitoring the nation’s food supply. The FSIS is the public health agency within the USDA responsible for ensuring that the commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled.
Recalls, while concerning, are an indication that regulatory systems designed to detect pathogens are functioning. “Routine microbiological testing is a critical tool for preventing foodborne illness outbreaks,” said Dr. David Goldman, a former senior advisor at the FSIS. “When a test comes back positive, it allows the agency and the company to act swiftly to remove potentially harmful products from the market before widespread illness can occur.”
The investigation into the root cause of the bacterial contamination at the Value Packers Inc. facility is ongoing. The company has stated it is fully cooperating with the FSIS investigation and has temporarily halted production on the implicated processing lines to conduct a thorough sanitation and review of its food safety protocols. The agency maintains a public list of retail locations that have received recalled products, which is updated as more information becomes available. This transparency is intended to help consumers in affected areas identify and avoid the specific items linked to the meat recall alert.
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