Talk about bad timing.
Aurora Packing Company is recalling more than 62,000 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, just days before one of the biggest grilling weekends of the year.
The USDA reported that North Aurora, Ill.-based company’s recalled products were packaged April 19 and shipped nationwide for further distribution and processing. The USDA provides a list of potentially contaminated products on its website, including product labels.
There have been no reports of illnesses related to the recall as Memorial Day weekend approaches.
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service classified the announcement as a “Class I,” which is considered a high health risk. The recall can be a “situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that E. coli infections generally occur three to four days after it’s consumed and can present in the form of severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
About 60% of Americans barbecue over Memorial Day weekend, according to an estimate by WalletHub, making it the second-busiest grilling day of the year (Fourth of July, 62%). WalletHub estimates that $1.5 billion is spent on meat and seafood for Memorial Day.
