Rahul Somvanshi
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a health alert for organic ground beef that might contain E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. The alert, released on June 3, 2025, warns consumers who may have the product in their refrigerators or freezers.
The affected product is “ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT” in 1-pound vacuum-packed packages. These packages have “Use or Freeze By” dates of either June 19 or June 20, 2025, and bear the establishment number “EST. 4027” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
NPC Processing Inc. in Shelburne, Vermont produced the ground beef on May 22 and 23, 2025. The company shipped the products to distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and Maryland, which then sent them to Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.
The problem came to light when NPC Processing told the FSIS they had accidentally shipped ground beef that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. FSIS issued a health alert rather than a recall because the products are no longer available for purchase in stores.
So far, no illnesses have been reported from eating this ground beef.
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E. coli O157:H7 is a dangerous bacterium that can cause severe symptoms 2-8 days after exposure. These include dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some develop a serious kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition is most common in children under 5 and older adults. Warning signs include easy bruising, unusual paleness, and decreased urine output. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
FSIS urges consumers not to eat the affected ground beef. Instead, they should throw it away or return it to the store where they bought it.
To stay safe when cooking any ground beef, FSIS recommends cooking it to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Always use a food thermometer to verify the temperature, as the meat’s color is not a reliable indicator of whether it’s fully cooked.
For questions about the health alert, consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 for food safety questions.
