Food Safety Alert: Potential E. coli Contamination in Ground Beef Products

Scanga Meat Company, based in Salida, Colorado, is recalling approximately 563 pounds of ground beef products due to possible contamination of E. coli O103. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but strains like E. coli O103 can produce Shiga toxin. People who are exposed to Shiga toxin can develop a life-threatening complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) discovered the presence of E. coli O103 during routine testing. The raw ground beef products were produced on December 11, 2023.

Description of Recalled Products

• 6-lb. plastic tubes of "It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat OUR REGULAR GROUND BEEF" with lot code 3345.

• 6-lb. plastic tubes of "It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat OUR X-L GROUND BEEF" with lot code 3345.

• 1-lb. plastic chubs of "SCANGA MEAT HAMBURGER" with lot code 3345.

• 1-lb. plastic trays of "It’s a treat to eat Scanga Meat GROUND ROUND" with lot code 3345.

• These products bear establishment number “EST. 6460” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

• The products were sold at the establishment’s retail location and shipped to restaurants in Colorado.

What Should Consumers Do:

• Check refrigerators and freezers for recalled products.

• Consumers should not eat these products and should discard them.

• For additional information, contact Scanga Meat Company at 719-539-3511 or email rbscanga@scangameat.com.

• This is a good reminder to safely prepare raw meat products and cook ground beef to a temperature of 160°F or higher. A food thermometer should be used to ensure proper cooking.

E. coli Description:

• E. coli is a bacteria that can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

• Symptoms usually begin 3 to 4 days after being infected, but symptoms can start any time between 1 and 14 days. Symptoms can last up to 2 weeks.

• Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F).

• E. coli can lead to rare but serious infections for children 5 years old or younger, older adults, and persons with weakened immune systems.

• Contact your doctor if your diarrhea is persistent, severe, or bloody.

Examples of products: