E-Coli

[Gunny]

I do all of my grocery shopping online at Walmart with the exception of roasts and such. Yesterday I got an email from Walmart informing me that their records show I bought 2 one pound packages of ground meat that had been recalled because of E-Coli contamination. Trouble is I had used both, one just the night before. Nothing seems amiss, how long before someone shows symptoms of that stuff?


Rob

 

[cyndi]

With in 48 hours and in most cases well before that

 

[TrainChaser]

E-coli in meat is easy to kill, and is only a danger when the meat is raw or undercooked.  Well-cooked (which all ground meat should be these days) = no problem.  The days of rare hamburgers and steak tartare are long gone, due to the low standards of the meat-packing facilities and the ineptness (is that a real word?) of the USDA.  On chunks of meat, the danger is from the surface, not the interior (excepting poultry).

Safe temperatures for meat:
Ground beef, pork, veal, lamb:   160F
Ground turkey or chicken:   165F
Fresh beef, veal, lamb (steaks, roasts, chops):   140F
Poultry (whole, pieces, roasts, stuffed):   165F
Pork & ham:   145F
https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html

You will have noticed that the highest temps go along with the highest risk of contamination.

An all-metal meat thermometer (~$5) is inserted into the thickest part of the meat before you cook it, and only removed when the meat is done. Aim the dial where you can see it.  Ground meat (hamburgers) are done when none of the interior meat is pink.  Photo: https://images.samsclubresources.com/is/image/samsclub/0007013103231_A?$img_size_380x380$

An instant thermometer ($80+-) has plastic on it, and is only used momentarily when you're checking the temp, NEVER left in the meat.  Photo: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81vyFmAXwQL._SL1500_.jpg

 

[Vagabound]

The few times I've had food poisoning, it was within hours, and it was completely unmistakable as compared to a normal flu or something like that. I'd bet dollars to donuts that if you ate it last night and you're asking this question today, and you're fine, you're out of the woods.

Tom

 

[LeeRevell]

Agreed. Bad meat will kick you to the curb fairly quick.
Most E Coli reports we get down here seem to be for bagged salads. It is theorised the migrant pickers do "Number Two" in the fields. Yuck......
Wash those veggies well!

 

[Ballenxj]

I believe that if you haven't gotten sick within 24 hrs, it should have passed through your system by then and shouldn't be a problem.

 

[djkeev]

Drink! .......... not water...... hard alcohol.
Years ago I read an article questioning why food served by "dive" bars, where food handling practices were questionable at best, people didn't get sick........ their answer? Booze! Drink while you eat! Booze kills germs!

Eat drink and be well!

Dave

 

[jimindenver]

I buy a lot of stuff at Wally world, meat is not one of them. Much of it is just the wrong color.

 

[LeeRevell]

Wonder why hot spicy foods are popular in third world countries? Those hot peppers have some anti-bacterial properties too.

 

[sushidog]

I buy a lot of stuff at Wally world, meat is not one of them. Much of it is just the wrong color.

You are wise. Years ago Walmart fired all their butchers in all their store for punishment because in one of their Canadian stores the butcher formed a union - a no-no at Walmart. In 2000, once again, some butchers in a TX Walmart voted to join the union, so as a reward Walmart fired all its butchers in 180 stores across 6 states. They would rather shut a store down than deal with a union. All the meat they buy now is pre-packaged and gassed with carbon monoxide (You know, the toxic gas.) That is why it is unusually bright color.

I work for a supermarket chain that grinds its own beef twice a day (morning and afternoon) and marks down any left over the previous day for a quick sale. Walmart ground meat usually has a week's expiration date on it - yuck! The problem with gassed meat is that it still looks a pretty bright red a week later, while fresh ground meat turns brown the next day letting you know it is getting old. Gassed meat will be so rotten that it stinks - and still be an unnatural bright red color. So be forewarned, as carbon monoxide is not a preservative. It is just added for color retention. I never buy meat from Walmart - mainly because of how they treated their butchers. That's also why you can't get any special cuts there. Do what you want, but I won't eat meat polluted with carbon monoxide even if it is e-coli free.

Chip

 

[DannyB1954]

Every time I got food poisoning it was within 2 hours. A friend bought Walmart grapes and did not wash them. He got it too.

 

[Vagabound]

Every time I got food poisoning it was within 2 hours. A friend bought Walmart grapes and did not wash them. He got it too.

Did that happen in Pahrump?

Tom

 

[TrainChaser]

This thread triggered the memory of something my vet said, so I did some research.

The Mayo Clinic gives a general estimate of 50 to 53 hours for food to pass through the digestive system of a human, from when it hits the stomach to excretion (men are a bit faster than women).

For a dog, it takes about 10 hours or so; for a cat, closer to 20 hours.  My vet said this faster 'transmission' is what allows animals to eat old or contaminated food and not get food poisoning.  Many solitary carnivores will kill something large, like a deer or elk, and eat off it for a week with no repercussions.  Humans are far more delicate.

Just for your info.  Something to keep the conversation going at a dinner party.  

 

[DannyB1954]

Did that happen in Pahrump?

Tom

I believe so. Actually It was more of an online acquaintance. I think it was you. I think you said after eating Wally grapes you became ill. This seems real likely as foreign countries use all sorts of waste products for fertilizer including human. Yum Yum.

 

[Vagabound]

I believe so. Actually It was more of an online acquaintance. I think it was you. I think you said after eating Wally grapes you became ill. This seems real likely as foreign countries use all sorts of waste products for fertilizer including human. Yum Yum.

Yeah it sounded like my story, so I was wondering if we had a sample of two now and some corroborating evidence, or if it was just me. 

I was never able to determine if it was Wally World grapes or a Burger King sausage biscuit. My money is on the grapes. It made a powerful enough impression on me that I haven't bought any more since then despite really liking those green seedless grapes.

Tom

 

[DannyB1954]

 I haven't bought any more since then despite really liking those green seedless grapes.

You just need to wash them. Maybe with a spray bottle with water and a little vinegar in it. 


One interesting thing if you are using raw eggs to make something is salmonella or e coli is on the outside of the egg, not the inside. If you dunk a raw egg into boiling water for about 30 seconds, it is safe.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Food poisoning twice in my life. Once in Flagstaff at a festival...lawrd have mercy = no fun! Couldn't drive home until I felt better and second time, meat from Safeway (was cooked even). Both cases would not wish that on anyone!

 

[Ballenxj]

Food poisoning twice in my life. Once in Flagstaff at a festival...lawrd have mercy = no fun! Couldn't drive home until I felt better and second time, meat from Safeway (was cooked even). Both cases would not wish that on anyone!

I've had it at least a couple times. The last one I remember was from smoked salmon. The one you buy in the deli part of a super market that comes packaged in plastic. I'm not 100% sure that was it, but 99.9% sure. I used to love that stuff, but haven't eaten it since. Thought I was going to die that night.

 

[ArtW]

I've had food poisoning a number of times, mostly from restaurants
two hours of cold sweats, then calling Paul, then an hour or so later I'm ok
the few times me ad a friend got it at the same time, they seemed more affected than me, but they didn't sick it up as fast as me, either

 

[Queen]

Came home from Mexico once with three kinds of gut infection, including e coli and salmonella. Never been so sick in my life and am still dealing with the fallout five years later.