The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health warning over concerns that “Hawaiʻi Big Island Beef” ground beef products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

Because the products are no longer available for purchase, a recall was not requested.  The FSIS is still concerned that some of these products may currently be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during an assessment of the establishment’s production records associated with a sample that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.

The items, which were produced on August 8, 2022, were shipped to retail and restaurant locations throughout Hawaiʻi.

The following products are subject to the public health alert:

• 1-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 1#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R1”.
• 1-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (Ln) Fine 1#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “135R1”.
• 2-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 2#/pkg” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R2”.
• 10-lb. bags containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10# Poly Bag” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “0134P10”.
• 10-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (75) Fine 10# Vac Seal” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “130R10”.
• 10-lb. vacuum sealed packages containing “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10# Vac Seal” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “134R10”.
• 40-lb. box containing four 10-lb chubs of “Ground Beef (80) Fine 10#” with “Packed 08/08/22” and “Lot 220808” on the label and case code “0134”.

The products bear establishment number “EST. 1063” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.  They should instead be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Anyone who has developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention immediately. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.