Publix Supermarkets, Inc., Deli Plant product recalled over E. coli risk

Recall date

August 30, 2018

Source

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA FSIS)

Official notice title

Publix Super Markets Inc. Recalls Ground Chuck Products Due To Possible E. coli O26 Contamination

Recall number

072-2018

FDA classification

Class I

Brand / firm

Publix Supermarkets, Inc., Deli Plant

Sold / distributed

Florida

Why it was recalled

Product Contamination

Class I is the FDA’s most serious recall level: there is a reasonable probability that using this product will cause serious harm or death.

What was recalled

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2018 Publix Super Markets Inc., a Lakeland, Fla., retail grocery store chain is voluntarily recalling an undetermined amount of ground beef products made from chuck that may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The ground chuck items were purchased by consumers from June 25, 2018, through July 31, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: Product List . These items were shipped to Publix Super Market retail locations in several Florida counties . On Aug. 16, 2018, FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O26 illnesses. FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health and agriculture partners determined that raw ground chuck was the probable source of the reported illnesses. The epidemiological investigation identified 18 case-patients, predominantly from Florida, with illness onset dates ranging from July 5 to July 25, 2018. Traceback information indicated that case-patients consumed ground chuck products purchased at various Publix Super Markets that was supplied by a yet-to-be determined source. As this investigation further develops, FSIS will continue to work with the supermarket, suppliers and public health partners, and will provide updated information should it become available. E. coli O26, like the more common E. coli O157:H7, is a serovar of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). People can become ill from STECs 28 days (average of 34 days) after exposure to the organism. Most people infected with STEC O26 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but rarely, some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome…