Ground beef sold at Whole Foods possibly contaminated with E. coli
Ground beef sold at Whole Foods possibly contaminated with E. coli
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for ground beef products sold at Whole Foods stores in over 25 states that tested positive for E. coli, the agency announced this week.
The product is no longer available in stores, so a recall wasn't issued. Instead, a public health alert was issued, the FSIS said.
The raw ground beef product was manufactured by Organic Rancher and was made on May 22, 2025, and May 23, 2025, according to FSIS.
The health alert includes 1 pound vacuum-packed containers of Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef, labeled as 85% lean with 15% fat. The label includes expiration dates of June 19, 2025 and June 20, 2025.
According to the FSIS, the ground beef was shipped to distributor locations in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland, then sent to Whole Foods Market retail locations nationwide.
The company let the FSIS know that the product tested positive for E. coli, leading to the public health alert. While there have been no confirmed reports of illness, the FSIS said it is concerned some customers may still have the products in their freezers.
Here's what you need to know.
How do I know if I have the ground beef product?
In addition to the Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef label listing 85% lean with 15% fat, the label also includes expiration dates June 19, 2025 and June 20, 2025.
The product has an establishment number "EST. 4027" inside the USDA mark of inspection, the FSIS said.
What should I do if I have the ground beef?
Those who have the products should not eat them, and should throw them out or return them to the store, the FSIS said.
According to the FSIS, those who eat meat should make sure the meat has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
'The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature,' the FSIS said.
Where was the ground beef sold?
The ground beef was sold in Whole Foods stores in 27 states, including:
Alabama
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
North Carolina
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
Wisconsin
Organic Rancher responds
Organic Rancher said on its website that the impacted products are no longer for sale.
'Other States not listed above are not impacted and products with different Use or Freeze By dates are NOT impacted and safe to consume,' the company said. The root cause of the issue has been identified, and immediate corrective actions have been put in place to ensure the ongoing integrity of the Organic Rancher brand.'
According to the FSIS, consumers have multiple options if they have questions or concerns.
Contact options include:
Consumers with questions about the public health alert: NPC Processing, Inc. at (802) 660-0496 or ddesautels@npcprocessing.com.
Consumers with food safety questions or concerns: Toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) 674-6854 or via email at MPHotline@usda.gov.
Consumers who want to report a meat, poultry, or egg product: Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at www.foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF.
What issues can E. coli lead to?
E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can lead to dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps for 2 to 8 days, or 3 to 4 days on average, the FSIS said.
Most people recover from E. coli exposure within a week, while others develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. The condition is most common in children who are under 5 years old, as well as older adults. Symptoms include easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
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