FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Imported Veal Products Due To Possible Non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) O103 Contamination

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2017 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a Public Health Alert to inform consumers that approximately 424 pounds of raw veal products imported from the Netherlands may be contaminated with Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O103. The raw boneless veal products were produced at Establishment 9EG, EKRO B.V., Netherlands, and imported by MRW Food Brokers, Inc., in Owings Mills, Md. The product was derived from calves that were slaughtered on March 8, 2017 and March 9, 2017, and further processed and packaged on March 9, 2017 and March 13, 2017. In addition to issuing this Alert, FSIS has directed its personnel to detain products covered by this Alert. 

Products imported to the United States include:

• Boxes of chilled Boneless Veal Cap with case code of Londbos05597422 and lot code 0001.
• Boxes of chilled Boneless Veal BHS with case code of Londbos05597426 and lot code 0005.
• Boxes of chilled Boneless Veal Inside with case code of Londbos05597439 and lot code 0006.
• Boxes of chilled Boned In Veal Rack Chop with case code of SELEDEL05593535 and lot code 0012.

These items were shipped to a distributor, and then further distributed to restaurants and grocery stores in Florida and Massachusetts.

The problem was discovered when an FSIS sample of the imported raw intact veal products, specifically veal stew meat, tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O103. There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreaks are rare, but tend to primarily be due to contaminated food and person-to-person transmission. Like E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 28 days (34 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

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

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.