The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for certain ground beef products sold in North and South Carolina due to potential E. coli contamination.
The alert specifically applies to 1-pound vacuum-packed packages of Organic Rancher brand organic ground beef, identified as 85% lean and 15% fat. Affected packages have “use or freeze by” dates of June 19 or June 20 and were produced by Vermont-based NPC Processing. Each package carries the establishment number “Est. 4027” within the USDA mark of inspection.
While these products are no longer available on store shelves, FSIS cautions that consumers might still have them in their refrigerators or freezers. The agency strongly advises anyone in possession of the contaminated meat to either discard it immediately or return it to the place of purchase.
The affected ground beef was sold at Whole Foods Market locations throughout both North and South Carolina between May 26 and June 3.
Currently, no confirmed illnesses have been reported in connection with this alert. However, FSIS recommends that individuals who may have consumed the product and are experiencing symptoms contact a healthcare provider promptly.
E. coli is a dangerous bacterium that can lead to severe health issues, including bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Symptoms typically manifest two to eight days after exposure. While most people recover within a week, some cases can escalate to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can result in kidney failure. HUS is most commonly observed in children under five and older adults.
For additional information or questions, consumers can visit the
FSIS website.