04-06-2025
USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Due To Potential E. Coli Contamination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health warning for organic ground beef distributed to Whole Foods Market retail locations. The beef is already off store shelves, so a recall was not requested, but the beef may still be in consumers' homes.
The raw ground beef was shipped to distributor locations in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and Maryland. Then it was distributed to Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.
The problem was discovered when the producer notified FSIS that they had shipped the ground beef product that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.
The raw ground beef was sold in 1-pound vacuum-packed packages that are labeled "ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT" and have the USDA organic seal and an Animal Welfare Certification seal on them.
The packages were produced on May 22, 2025, and May 23, 2025, and have a "Use or Freeze By 06-19-25" and "Use or Freeze By 06-20-25" on the packaging. The packages also bear the establishment number "Est. 4027" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Photos of the label can be found on the FSIS site.
To date, there are no confirmed illnesses due to the ground beef. If you still have the product in your refrigerator or freezer, do not consume it. It should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact Danny Desautels, NPC Processing, Inc., President, at 802-660-0496 (office), 802-310-7644 (cell), or ddesautels@
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 2 to 8 days after exposure. While most people recover within a week, some develop complications. For more details on E. coli, including symptoms of infection, see the CDC's E. coli information page.
Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
