USDA Recalls 23,000 Pounds Ground Beef

- The recall was initiated by CS Beef Packers, LLC, of Kuna, Idaho, for approximately 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef produced on January 14, 2026. The products were shipped to distributors in California, Idaho, and Oregon for further distribution to foodservice locations. - The specific products recalled are 10-pound chubs of "BEEF, COARSE GROUND, 73 L," "FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 73L," and "FIRE RIVER FARMS CLASSIC BEEF FINE GROUND 81L." These products have the establishment number "EST. 630" inside the USDA mark of inspection and a "Use/Freeze By" date of February 4, 2026. - The potential contaminant is E. coli O145, a strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can cause illness within two to eight days of exposure. Symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. - The contamination was discovered during routine testing by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) at a downstream customer. As of the recall announcement, there have been no confirmed reports of illnesses linked to the consumption of these products. - This is a Class I recall, which the USDA defines as a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. - While most E. coli strains are harmless, Shiga toxin-producing strains like O145 can lead to a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. - The USDA's FSIS routinely tests ground beef for E. coli O157:H7 and other non-O157 STECs to ensure the safety of the beef supply. These testing programs are part of a broader strategy to verify the effectiveness of a plant's food safety systems. - Consumers can identify the recalled products by looking for the specific brand names, case codes, and time stamps between 07:03 and 08:32 on the packaging. Foodservice operations are urged to check their freezers for the recalled beef.