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Time and temperature are the most important factors to keep in mind when it comes to food safety.
The problem has been resolved
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Testing Service has issued a public health warning for ground beef products sold at Whole Foods stores in more than 25 states that test positive for E. coli, the agency announced this week.
No recall was issued as this product is no longer available in stores. Instead, a public health warning was issued, the FSI said.
According to FSIS, the raw beef products were manufactured by organic ranchers and were manufactured on May 22, 2025 and May 23, 2025.
Health Alerts include a 1 pound vacuum packed container of organic rancher organic ground beef labelled 85% lean, containing 15% fat. The label includes the expiration dates of June 19, 2025 and June 20, 2025.
According to FSIS, the ground beef was shipped to distributor locations in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland, and sent to Whole Foods Market retailers nationwide.
The company informed FSI that its product was positive for E. coli, leading to a public health warning. There have been no confirmed reports of the disease, but FSI said it is concerned that some customers may still have products in the freezer.
This is what you need to know.
How do I know if I have ground beef products?
In addition to the Organic Launcher Organic Ground Label List, 85% Lean with 15% fat, the label includes expiration dates of June 19, 2025 and June 20, 2025.
The product has the establishment number “Est. 4027” within the USDA inspection mark, FSIS said.
What should I do if I have ground beef?
Those who have products should not eat them, and should either throw them away or return them to the store, FSIS said.
According to the FSI, meat eaters should make sure the meat is cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
“The only way to make sure ground beef is cooked high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures the internal temperature,” FSI said.
Where was ground beef sold?
The ground beef was sold at Whole Foods stores in 27 states, including:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Columbia area
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- main
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- new york
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Organic rancher responds
Organic Launcher said on its website that the affected products are no longer on sale.
“The other states mentioned above are not affected, and products with different uses or freezing on each date are unaffected and safe to consume,” the company said. The underlying cause of this issue has been identified and immediate corrective actions have been put in place to ensure the continued integrity of the organic launcher brand. ”
According to FSI, consumers have multiple options if they have questions or concerns.
The contact options are:
- Public Health Alert: NPC Processing, Inc. Consumers with questions at (802) 660-0496 or dedesautels@npcprocessing.com.
- Consumers with food safety questions or concerns: Toll free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (888) 674-6854 or email mphotline@usda.gov.
- Consumers who wish to report meat, poultry or egg products: Electronic Consumer Complaint Surveillance System at www.foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eccf.
What problems can E. coli lead to?
E. coli is a potentially fatal bacteria that can lead to dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal convulsions for 2 to 8 days, or on average, FSIS said.
Most people recover from E. coli exposure within a week, while others develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, or renal failure called HUS. This condition is most common in children under the age of 5 and in the elderly. Symptoms include simple bruises, pale, and reduced urine.
Saleen Martin is a reporter for the USA Today Now team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – 757. Email her to sdmartin@usatoday.com.
