Wolverine Packing Co., a meat manufacturer located in Detroit, is currently tied to a significant E. coli recall affecting more than 160,000 pounds of its products.

This recall was first highlighted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Wednesday, encompassing about 167,277 pounds of both fresh and frozen ground beef that was sent to restaurants nationwide.

The recall notice indicates that over 100 products from Wolverine Packing Co. need to be removed due to 15 reported illnesses linked to their ground beef, as identified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The agency has advised that any remaining products should be discarded immediately.

Although it may not be a household name like Boar’s Head, Wolverine Packing Co. is now the focus of this significant recall. Here’s what to know about the company involved.

What is Wolverine Packing Co.?

Wolverine Packing Co. is a protein supplier based in Detroit, claiming to offer over 250 brands and around 4,000 different products, as stated on its website.

Established in 1937 originally as a processor of lamb and veal, the family-owned business has grown to include steak and beef products. By 2012, it expanded its operations to provide ground beef to every U.S. state and some international markets. The company reportedly increased its workforce to 500 employees across multiple facilities in Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market by 2016 and added a new facility in Forest Park in 2018, according to the company’s website.

Currently, Wolverine Packing Co. employs over 900 individuals and distributes a variety of meat products including boxed beef, pork, poultry, lamb, veal, frozen seafood, portioned meats, and ground beef, per its website.

It carries several well-known brands such as Tyson, Jennie-O, Perdue, Certified Angus Beef, and Western Buffalo.

This isn’t the first time the company has faced a recall; in 2014, it recalled 1.8 million pounds of ground beef due to potential E. coli contamination, which resulted in 11 illnesses across four states.

What products are affected by the Wolverine Packing Co. recall?

The recall includes over 100 raw fresh and frozen ground beef items. In addition to products branded with Wolverine Packing Co., they are marketed under various other labels such as 1855 Beef, Davis Creek Meals, Farmer’s Choice, Heritage Restaurant Brands, and Cheney Brothers, Inc., as detailed in a list provided by the USDA.

Fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024, while the frozen items have a production date of 10/22/24. All the affected products are marked with the establishment number “EST. 2574B” within the USDA inspection label.