Ground beef sold at Whole Foods may be tainted with E. coli, USDA says
[June 05, 2025]
U.S. agriculture officials are warning that ground beef sold at
Whole Foods markets nationwide may be contaminated with potentially
dangerous E. coli bacteria.
Officials on Tuesday issued a public health alert for 1-pound,
vacuum-packed packages of Organic Rancher beef, produced on May 22 and
May 23, by NPC Processing Inc., of Shelburne, Vermont. The products have
use-by dates of June 19 and June 20.
The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service did not request a recall
because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, they
may still be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.
The meat was produced in Australia or Uruguay and processed in the U.S.
It was sent to distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and
Maryland and then to Whole Foods stores nationwide. The problem was
discovered when company officials notified FSIS that they had shipped
beef products that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, a type of
bacteria that can cause serious illness.
To date, no illnesses linked to the product have been reported,
officials said. Consumers who have the product should throw it away or
return it to the store.
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This image provided by The U.S. Safety and Inspection Service shows
a package of Organic Rancher ground beef sold at Whole Foods markets
that the U.S. agriculture officials are warning may be contaminated
with potentially dangerous E. coli bacteria. (The U.S. Safety and
Inspection Service via AP)
 E. coli bacteria can cause
infections with symptoms that include dehydration, diarrhea and
cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some people can
become severely ill and develop a dangerous kidney condition.
Children under age 5 and older adults are most at risk.
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