Over 22,000 pounds of raw ground beef sit in restaurant freezers across three states, potentially harboring a deadly E. coli strain that could strike without warning.
Story Snapshot
- CS Beef Packers in Idaho recalls 22,912 pounds of ground beef produced January 14, 2026, after FSIS testing detected E. coli O145.
- Class I recall targets foodservice operators in California, Idaho, and Oregon; no illnesses confirmed yet.
- Products in 10-pound chubs with specific case codes, use-by February 4, 2026, and EST. 630 mark.
- FSIS urges immediate discard or return to prevent severe health risks like bloody diarrhea.
Recall Details and Production Facts
CS Beef Packers, LLC in Kuna, Idaho produced the contaminated ground beef on January 14, 2026. FSIS routine testing at an undisclosed downstream customer detected E. coli O145 weeks later. The agency announced Recall 003-2026 on February 11, classifying it as Class I for its high risk of serious health consequences or death. Products shipped to distributors in California, Idaho, and Oregon for restaurants and cafeterias. No confirmed illnesses reported as of February 12.
Product Identifiers for Immediate Action
Foodservice operators check inventory for 10-pound chubs in cardboard cases coded 18601, 19583, or 19563. Boxes bear “Use/Freeze By” date of February 4, 2026, and time stamps from 07:03 to 08:32. All carry establishment number EST. 630 inside USDA mark of inspection. Discard products or return to supplier. FSIS hotline at 888-674-6854 handles reports. Cooking to 160°F internal temperature kills E. coli, but recall prevents any risk.
This recall spares retail consumers since products went only to foodservice. Grinding process mixes surface bacteria through meat, making ground beef a prime E. coli vehicle. E. coli O145 produces Shiga toxin but causes hemolytic uremic syndrome less often than O157:H7. Symptoms emerge 2-8 days post-exposure: severe bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps. Vulnerable groups—children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised—face gravest threats. Supportive care treats most cases.
Stakeholders and Company Response
FSIS drives the recall with regulatory authority over CS Beef Packers’ inspected facility. The company states internal tests passed each lot, crediting FSIS customer testing for discovery. CS Beef Packers employs HACCP programs, audited for safety, yet federal oversight caught the issue post-production. Distributors and restaurants now scramble for inventory checks to dodge liability and ensure safe service. Common sense demands vigilance; federal watchdogs protect when companies falter.
Short-term fallout hits foodservice with disposal costs nearing $50,000-$100,000 for 23,000 pounds. Long-term, CS Beef Packers faces audits and reputation hits, prompting industry-wide HACCP reviews. West Coast supply chains ripple as operators source alternatives. Public trust in beef hinges on swift action like this preventive recall. Conservative values prize personal responsibility—restaurants verify suppliers—but applaud government’s role in averting disaster before it strikes families.
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Nearly 23,000 pounds of ground beef recalled over possible E. coli contamination
