FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Specific Ground Meat in HelloFresh Meal Kits Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
WASHINGTON, September 10, 2022 – The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issues a public health alert due to concerns that ground beef products in HelloFresh meal kits may be associated with Escherichia coli (E coli) O157:H7 disease. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
The meal kits containing minced meat for this public health alert were shipped to consumers from July 2 to 21, 2022. The following products are subject to the public health alert [view label]:
- 10 oz. vacuum-packed plastic packages containing “BEEF 85% LEAN/15% FAT” with the codes “EST#46481[ads1] L1 22 155” or “EST#46481 L5 22 155” on the side of the package.
The packages of minced meat have “EST.46841” on the inside of the USDA mark of inspection and on the plastic package of minced meat.
FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health partners are investigating an outbreak of E coli O157:H7 and raw minced meat are the likely source of the reported illnesses. Tracing information identified that multiple case patients received ground beef produced at establishment M46841 and distributed by HelloFresh in meal kits from July 2 to 21, 2022. Tracing of materials used to produce ground beef is ongoing, and FSIS continues to work with suppliers and public health partners on the investigation.
FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be discarded.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground meat that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground meat has been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact hello@hellofresh.com or via live chat.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety alerts at Ask USDA or email a question to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry or egg product, the online Consumer Complaint Monitoring System is available 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
