WASHINGTON – Franklin Park, Illinois-based Grant Park Packing recalled approximately 53,200 lbs. of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the US Dept. of Agriculture reported on April 24.

FSIS and its public health partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kentucky Dept. of Public Health, have been investigating an outbreak of E. coli O103. The ongoing investigation led to a positive test of E. coli O103 from ground beef samples.

The bulk raw ground beef was produced on Oct. 30-31, 2018, and Nov. 1, 2018.

The following products are subject to recall:

  • 40-lb. bulk cardboard boxes of “North Star Imports & Sales, LLC. 100% GROUND BEEF BULK 80% LEAN/ 20% FAT” marked “FOR INSTITUTIONAL USE ONLY” with lot code GP.1051.18 and pack dates 10/30/2018, 10/31/2018, and 11/01/2018.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 21781” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to Minnesota for further distribution and Kentucky for institutional use.

Currently, there is no definitive link between this positive product and the ongoing E. coli O103 outbreak. Further traceback and product analysis continues to determine if the recalled products are related to the other E. coli O103 outbreak.

Carrolton, Georgia-based K2D Foods, doing business as Colorado Premium Foods also had an E. coli O103 recall on April 24 for approximately 113,424 lbs. of raw ground beef products.