Fort Worth, Texas,
04
December
2018
|
10:20 AM
America/Chicago

Beef Recall: What Parents Need To Know About Salmonella

More than 12 million pounds of raw beef has been recalled due to risks of salmonella, according to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS).

JBS Tolleson Inc. is recalling the “raw, non-intact beef products,” including ground beef, packaged on various dates from July 26, 2018 to Sept. 7, 2018. This is the third time the company has recalled beef since October and the salmonella outbreak is associated with almost 250 people getting sick in 25 states.

Consumers are asked to check their homes for the recalled ground beef and other “non-intact” raw beef. 

The following products are subject to recall: [Products List (PDF) | Product Labels (PDF only)|.

FSIS says it is “concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. 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.”

Symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.

Justin Smith, a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Trophy Club office, said salmonella is one of the most common bacterial causes of infections he sees in his office and it is a “fairly frequent cause” of severe diarrhea and abdominal pain in children.

Parents should call a doctor if they see the following symptoms:

  1. Severe vomiting with decreased urine frequency or other signs of dehydration.
  2. Fever of more than 102.
  3. Blood or mucous in the stool.
  4. Severe belly pain.
  5. Diarrhea that lasts more than one week.

If you are concerned your child has one of these symptoms, Dr. Smith said parents should consult with their doctor and keep them out of daycare until the pediatrician is sure they will not put other children at risk.

“If you suspect your child has salmonella, your pediatrician can run stool studies to confirm the diagnosis,” Dr. Smith said. “This may not be necessary if there are known cases that the child has been exposed to. The infection will typically go away on its own in seven days or less. Most healthy children do not require antibiotics. I do not routinely recommend anti-diarrheal medications in children because they can prolong symptoms with some infections.”

For more on this outbreak, read the following:

 

Get to know Justin Smith, M.D.

Justin Smith, M.D., is a pediatrician in Trophy Club  and the Medical Advisor for Digital Health for Cook Children's in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Smith is an experienced keynote speaker for a variety of topics including pediatric/parenting topics, healthcare social media and physician leadership. If you are interested in having Dr. Smith present to your conference or meeting, please contact him at thedocsmitty@cookchildrens.org.

He has an active community on both Facebook and Twitter as @TheDocSmitty and writes weekly for Cook Children's checkupnewsroom.com. He believes that strategic use of social media and technology by pediatricians to connect with families can deepen their relationship and provide a new level of convenience for both of their busy lifestyles. Dr. Smith’s innovative pediatric clinic, a pediatric clinic “designed by you,” open now. Click to learn more. To make an appointment, call 817-347-8100.

 

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