A nationwide health alert has been issued for Greater Omaha ground beef products, as they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a strain of Escherichia coli known to cause severe intestinal infection in humans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the alert after discovering that raw ground beef items produced and packaged on March 28, 2024, may pose a risk to consumers.

The affected ground beef products carry a "Use/Freeze by" date of April 22, 2024, and bear the "EST.960A" mark of inspection from the USDA. These products were shipped to restaurants and retail locations across the country. The FSIS has provided a list of specific product labels on its website for consumers to check.

Although the impacted ground beef products are no longer available for sale, the FSIS has issued the health alert to ensure that anyone who may have purchased them is aware of the potential risk. It is advised that if any of these products are found in consumers' freezers, they should be immediately discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of illness associated with this health alert. However, if individuals feel unwell after consuming the ground beef, the FSIS recommends seeking medical attention promptly. E. coli infection symptoms typically include dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms usually appear within three to four days after consuming contaminated food and can last for about a week.

Although severe cases of E. coli infection are more common in young children and older adults, anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical care. In some instances, patients may develop kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For inquiries regarding the health alert, consumers can contact Gina Adami, Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. Representative, at 402-575-4702 or gadami@gmail.com. Questions about food safety can be directed to the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or sent via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. In case of any issues related to meat, poultry, or egg products, consumers can report problems through the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.

It is crucial for consumers to be aware of this health alert and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Regularly checking and cross-referencing product labels and remaining vigilant about food safety measures can help prevent any potential health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated food products.