USDA Issues Recall for Organic Ground Beef at Whole Foods Due to E. coli Contamination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert concerning certain packages of organic ground beef sold at Whole Foods stores nationwide. The affected product is labeled as "ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT" and was produced on May 22 and 23, 2025. These packages display a "Use or Freeze By" date of June 19 or 20, 2025, and include the establishment number "EST. 4027" within the USDA inspection mark. Although this meat has been removed from store shelves, some packages may still be in consumers’ homes, posing a risk for consumption.

The FSIS urges customers who possess this product to discard it immediately or return it to the place of purchase. The recall covers ground beef distributed at Whole Foods locations across the United States and also sent to distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and Maryland. No cases of illness have been reported yet; however, E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe health issues, have been detected. E. coli infection symptoms include dehydration, abdominal cramps, and bloody diarrhea. The bacteria can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney condition that can cause easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output, especially among children under five years and older adults. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical care.

Health officials emphasize caution, as E. coli is a potentially deadly pathogen. The incident highlights the importance of proper food handling and awareness of recalls to prevent illness from contaminated products. Further details and updates can be found in the full USDA health alert.