6.5 million pounds of beef recalled due to salmonella outbreak

Around 60 people in 15 states have fallen ill

(Getty)

More than 6.5m pounds of raw beef products are being recalled after an outbreak of salmonella that has left around 60 people ill.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the recall involved “various raw, non-intact beef products”, totalling 6,500,966 lbs.

The recall was announced by Arizona-based JBS Tolleson. The firm is based in the town of Tolleson, ten miles west of Phoenix. Inspectors said at least 57 people in 16 states had reported falling ill and that the source of the outbreak was traced to the Arizona firm.

CNN said the recalled products were packaged between July 26 and September 7 and were sold nationwide under the brand names - Walmart, Cedar River Farms Natural Beef, Showcase, Showcase/Walmart and JBS Generic.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,“ the agency said.

The agency also urged consumers to cook all ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71C). “The only way to confirm that ground beef or other cuts of beef are cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.”

The agency said the common symptoms of salmonellosis - which is caused by salmonella - are diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product.

“Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhoea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalised,” it said.

“Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.”