Minnesota – According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), 167,277 pounds of ground beef are being recalled nationwide.

Michigan-based Wolverine Packing recalled the ground beef on Wednesday after FSIS found it may be contaminated with E. coli, according to an FSIS statement.

The department began investigating when some people in Minnesota reported consuming the beef before becoming ill. So far there are 15 cases.

The product was sold to various restaurants across the United States from Oct. 22 to Nov. 4, according to a statement from FSIS.

The department is urging all restaurants to remove any Wolverine meat products containing these dates from their refrigerators or freezers.

This after the recent outbreak of E. coli in organic carrots and McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.

What is E. coli?

According to the CDC, E. coli is a type of bacteria found in the environment. This can include food, water and the intestines of humans and animals. While E. coli is harmless in some cases, a few types can make people seriously ill.

In this case, the recalled ground beef is linked to E. coli O157:H7, which can cause kidney failure, among other serious problems.

How is it spread?

E. coli is often spread through contaminated food, water, the environment or contact with animals.

While the Department of Agriculture requires heavy regulation of beef products to prevent diseases like E. coli, such as testing meat regularly, FSIS determined a link between the meat and an E. coli outbreak, they said.

According to their website, they are investigating the matter with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health.

What are the symptoms?

According to FSIS, symptoms can begin within one to two days of consuming the contaminated product. These symptoms can include dehydration, stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea.

In some cases, this can escalate to kidney failure, which can be fatal if left untreated.

FSIS said anyone with pale skin, decreased urine, easy bruising and other symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

How often does this occur?

This type of bacteria causes about 74,000 infections in the United States each year, which can lead to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths, according to the CDC.

Federal data show that E. coli infections in 2023 were lower than in previous years, and cases of kidney damage remained stable.