More than 167,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to restaurants nationwide are being recalled by a Michigan meatpacking company over concerns about possible E. coli contamination, federal officials said Wednesday.

At least 15 cases of the bacteria have been reported in Minnesota this month and have been traced back to Wolverine Packing Co. — as concerns grow that the contaminated food could be in the refrigerators and freezers of restaurants across the country, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Administration. Inspection Service (FSIS).

The illnesses among consumers were documented between November 2 and 10.

“The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill individuals who reported consuming ground beef prior to their illness,” the federal agency said.

After officials became aware of the sick consumers on Nov. 13, an investigation quickly determined there was a link between ground beef products at Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. and the E. coli contamination.

A ground beef sample taken from the company on Wednesday by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture tested positive for the bacteria, which can be fatal, officials said.

Symptoms of E. coli include dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps that can occur days after exposure.

Restaurants must discard products with a best-before date of November 14, 2024, and frozen products with a production date of October 22, 2024.

A total of 167,277 pounds of ground beef have been recalled.

“FSIS is concerned that some products may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers,” the agency said. “Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.”

Wolverine Packing Co. was first opened in 1937 and is now in its third generation of family ownership with more than 900 employees, according to its website.

The company said in a statement that it is cooperating with FSIS during an investigation into the possible contamination.

“We also conduct an intensive internal audit to fully assess suppliers and existing processes, including rigorous quality control measures, to maintain the highest manufacturing standards,” the company told The Post.

“As a third-generation family business that has been active for almost 90 years, we are committed to food and consumer safety. That is our highest priority.”

Earlier this week, consumers were advised to throw away whole carrots and baby carrots sold at some of the nation’s largest supermarkets, including Trader Joe’s, because the vegetables may have been contaminated with the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

Grimmway Farms launched the recall after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that its organic carrots could be linked to an outbreak that killed one person and sickened nearly 40 people.

According to federal officials, McDonald’s has also recently faced an E. coli problem after cases were discovered in 14 states due to the onions served on the fast-food restaurant’s Quarter Pounder burgers.