Health Alert: Regulators warn consumers against ground beef products over contamination

*The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issues a public health alert to consumers over ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a dangerous bacterium that can cause serious illness

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The United States (US) Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert to consumers for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

E. coli O157:H7 is said to be a potentially dangerous bacterium that can cause serious illness.

ConsumerConnect learnt the latest health alert applies to 1-pound vacuum-packed packages of Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef 85% Lean 15% Fat bearing “Use or Freeze By 06-19-25” and “06-20-25.”

The products were produced May 22 and May 23, 2025, and bear establishment number “EST. 4027” inside the USDA mark of inspection, agency report said.

Although a formal recall was not requested—as the products are no longer available for sale, FSIS noted its concern that some consumers may still have the ground beef in their refrigerators or freezers till this day.

The beef was distributed to Whole Foods Market locations nationwide through distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and Maryland in the US.

The potential contamination risk was discovered when NPC Processing Incorporated, the Vermont-based producer, notified FSIS that the ground beef tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 after being shipped into commerce.

Though no illnesses have been reported thus far, health officials are urging caution all the same, report said.

Health risks to consumers and safety guidance

E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, usually 2–8 days after exposure.

In some cases, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure most common in young children and older adults. Symptoms include pallor, decreased urine output, and easy bruising.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical attention.

The regulators are now reminding consumers to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F, verified with a food thermometer, to ensure safety.

A complete food safety temperature chart is available at: fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.

Besides, consumers, who had purchased the affected ground beef products, are urged to not eat them, and should either discard or return them to the places of purchase.

For questions about the alert, consumers and media can contact Danny Desautels, President of NPC Processing Inc., at 802-660-0496 (office), 802-310-7644 (cell), or via email at ddesautels@npcprocessing.com, according to report.

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