More than 16,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Walmart recalled over E. coli risk

Over 16,000 pounds of ground beef produced by Cargill Meat Solutions and sold at Walmart have been recalled due to concerns of a possible E. coli contamination.

The contaminated beef was produced on April 26 and April 27 and distributed to Walmart stores throughout the eastern U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the beef products, USDA said. Cargill said it launched a voluntary recall out "of an abundance of caution."

The Pennsylvania-based food distributor became concerned of a possible contamination after discovering that "previously segregated product had been inadvertently utilized in the production of ground beef," the agency said.

The ground beef has been sold at Walmart locations in Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York.

The Cargill products subject to recall include:

• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% lean 7% fat all natural lean ground beef" 
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "prime rib steak burgers patties" 
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% lean 15% fat all natural angus premium ground beef"
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% lean 20% fat all natural ground beef chuck"
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% lean 20% fat all natural ground beef chuck patties"
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% lean 10% fat all natural ground beef sirloin patties"

USDA advises consumers to throw away or return the contaminated products to the place of purchase.

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