Ground Beef Recalled

Detroit-based meat manufacturer Wolverine Packing Co. is at the heart of an ongoing E. coli recall covering over 160,000 pounds of product.

• What is Wolverine Packing Co.?
• What to know after 160,000 pounds of ground beef recalled.

First announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Wednesday, the recall covers about 167,277 pounds of fresh and frozen ground beef distributed to restaurants across the U.S.

According to the notice, over 100 products manufactured by Wolverine Packing Co. are subject to recall after 15 illnesses were reported to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and traced back to its ground beef. Affected products could still be in restaurant refrigerators and should be immediately disposed of, warned the agency.

Unlike some other major outbreaks like Boar’s Head, the name Wolverine Packing Co. likely won’t trigger recognition in most consumer’s minds. Here’s what to know about the company at the center of the call.

What is Wolverine Packing Co.?
Wolverine Packing Co. is a Detroit-based protein company that stocks more than 250 brands and 4,000 different products, according to its website.

Founded in 1937 as a lamb and veal processor, the three-generation, family-owned company later expanded into steak and beef. By 2012, it grew to supply ground beef products to all 50 states and some other countries. Its production facilities also grew, expanding to employ 500 employees in multiple buildings in Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market by 2016, and a new facility was erected in Forest Park in 2018, the company’s website says.

Today, the company employs more than 900 and distributes boxed beef, pork, poultry, lamb, veal, frozen seafood, portioned-cut meats and ground beef, the company says on its website.

Some well-recognized brands stocked by Wolverine Packing Co. include Tyson, Jennie-O, Perdue, Certified Angus Beef and Western Buffalo.

The company was previously involved in a large recall in 2014, when 1.8 million pounds of ground beef products were recalled also due to possible E. coli contamination, resulting in 11 illnesses in four states.

What products are included in the Wolverine Packing Co. recall?
The recall covers over 100 raw fresh and frozen ground beef products. Products are sold under other brand names in addition to Wolverine Packing Co., including 1855 Beef, Davis Creek Meals, Farmer’s Choice, Heritage Restaurant Brands, and Cheney Brothers, Inc., according to a list of labels released by the USDA.

Fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024 and the frozen products are labeled with a production date of 10/22/24. All impacted products have the establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

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