Federal food safety authorities are concerned that some people could have beef ravioli in their freezers that is contaminated with E. Coli.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert because about 70 pounds of raw beef ravioli produced by P&S Ravioli Co. of Philadelphia may be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria.
A recall was not issued because the product is no longer available to buy, but the service is concerned that it may be in consumers’ freezers.
The frozen, raw ground beef ravioli was produced on April 30 and shipped to a limited number of retail locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The 13-ounce boxes are marked as “P&S Ravioli Company 12 Jumbo Meat Ravioli,” with a use-by-date of Nov. 30, lot code 20121 and establishment number “EST. 2736” inside the USDA inspection mark.
The USDA said the ravioli should not be eaten and should be thrown away or returned to where it was bought.
The problem was found when a third-party laboratory notified the company that a sample was positive for E. coli, according to the USDA, but the product associated with the sample had already been shipped.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the product, the agency said. Those concerned about an injury or illness are advised to contact a doctor.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the USDA’s meat and poultry hotline at 888-674-6854 or send questions by email to mphotline@usda.gov.
