A Scanga ground beef E. coli O103 recall includes 6-lb and 1-lb tunes and 1-lb trays. Consumers who have purchased these items should not eat them as E. coli can cause severe illness and death.
In its December 22 recall notice, Scanga Meat Company of Salida, CO, stated it was not aware of any reported illnesses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) discovered the problem during routine testing.
What is E. coli O103?
Some strains of E. coli, including E. coli O103, produce Shiga toxins that are poisonous to humans. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections cause severe illness that often requires hospitalization. Some patients with STEC infections develop potentially fatal complications called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), which both cause kidney failure. Teenagers and young children are at elevated risk of developing HUS.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that is sometimes bloody. Usually, these symptoms develop within one to three days of exposure. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications and antibiotics should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the chance of developing HUS.
Anyone with HUS symptoms should seek immediate emergency care as HUS can be fatal. HUS symptoms, which usually develop one week after initial E. coli symptoms, include:
- Pale skin
- Decreased urination
- Unexplained bruising
- Extreme fatigue
- Bloody diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in legs, feet, or ankles