Students on MSU’s meal plan craving a hamburger or sausage patty will have to look elsewhere.
The university has pulled all ground beef products from cafeterias in response to a call from its meat supplier, who is testing its beef for E. coli contamination. According to an Oct. 5 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 32 cases of foodborne illnesses under investigation in eight states. No cases were under investigation in Michigan.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines E. coli as “a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration.”
Mike Rice, director of Auxiliary Services, said pulling the ground beef was a voluntary effort. No beef shipped to MSU has been proven to be contaminated with E. coli.
“Whatever it takes to keep the beef safe, that’s what we’ve got to do,” Rice said.
Vennie Gore, assistant vice president for Housing and Food Services, said he expects the testing to be complete in the next few days.
Until then, chicken burgers and other alternatives will replace the ground beef products, Gore said.
“We’d rather be safe than sorry,” Gore said.
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