(WJW) – A public health alert has been issued for organic ground beef products that reportedly could be contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced.

The alert, issued by FSIS, applies to some Organic Rancher products distributed to Whole Foods Market locations nationwide.

According to FSIS, there was no recall request since the products are no longer for sale. However, food safety officials are worried that consumers could still have some of the ground beef in their refrigerators or freezers. They advise that the affected product should not be consumed.

Here’s what to check for:

• 1-pound vacuum-packed packages of “Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef 85% Lean 15% Fat”
• The affected beef was produced on May 22, 2025, and May 23, 2025, and has the use-by or freeze-by dates of June 19, 2025, and June 20, 2025, on the packaging.
• The product bears the establishment number “EST. 4027” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The beef products were shipped to distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland and then further distributed to Whole Foods Market across the country, according to the FSIS.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness. But health officials warned that E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps after exposure.

“While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately,” states the FSIS in the health alert.

Anyone with illness concerns should contact their health care provider.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.