Ground Beef Sold at Whole Foods May Be Contaminated With E. Coli

Ground beef sold at Whole Foods stores nationwide may be contaminated with E. coli, bacteria that can cause serious foodborne illness.

The beef is no longer on store shelves, but consumers are still being urged to check their kitchen for the ground beef and throw it away.

On Tuesday, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for raw ground beef from Organic Rancher, which can be identified by the following information:

• Product Name: ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT
• Package Size: 1-pound packages
• Use-or-Freeze-By Dates: 06-19-25 and 06-20-25
• Establishment Number: EST. 4027 (printed inside the USDA mark of inspection)

The affected beef was sent to distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and Maryland, then shipped to Whole Foods locations across the country.

FSIS issued the public health alert after being notified that the ground beef tested positive for E. coli.

If consumed, the bacteria can cause serious illness, with common symptoms of diarrhea and stomach cramps. To date, there have been no reports of illness connected to the beef.

Most people recover from E. coli infection within a few days without medical treatment. However, certain groups—children under age 5, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems—are more likely to experience a severe illness.

Symptoms of severe E. coli infection include:

• Diarrhea and a fever above 102°F
• Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving, or bloody diarrhea
• Extreme vomiting that makes it hard to keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as not peeing, having a dry mouth or throat, or feeling dizzy
• Signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome, including decreased alertness, loss of color in the cheeks, unexplained bruising or tiny red spots on the skin, irritability, or blood in pee

Check your fridge and freezer for the affected ground beef. If you have it, do not cook or eat it.

Return the meat or throw it away, wash and sanitize any surfaces it touched, and monitor for signs of E. coli infection.

Seek medical attention right away if you or a loved one experiences symptoms of a severe E. coli infection.