Whole Foods ground beef may be tainted with E. coli, health officials warn

US agriculture officials are informing that crushed beef sold astatine Whole Foods markets nationwide whitethorn beryllium contaminated pinch perchance vulnerable E. coli bacteria.

Officials issued a nationalist wellness alert for 1-pound, vacuum-packed packages of Organic Rancher beef, produced connected May 22 and May 23, by NPC Processing Inc., of Shelburne, Vermont. The products person use-by dates of June 19 and June 20.

The products person use-by dates of June 19 and June 20. AP

The US Food Safety and Inspection Service did not petition a callback because nan products are nary longer disposable for purchase. However, they whitethorn still beryllium successful consumers’ refrigerators aliases freezers.

The nutrient was produced successful Australia aliases Uruguay and processed successful nan US. It was sent to distributors successful Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland and past to Whole Foods stores nationwide.

The problem was discovered erstwhile institution officials notified FSIS that they had shipped beef products that tested affirmative for E. coli O157:H7, a type of germs that tin origin superior illness.

To date, nary illnesses linked to nan merchandise person been reported, officials said. Consumers who person nan merchandise should propulsion it distant aliases return it to nan store.

To date, nary illnesses linked to nan merchandise person been reported, officials said. Consumers who person nan merchandise should propulsion it distant aliases return it to nan store. Gado via Getty Images

E. coli germs tin origin infections pinch symptoms that see dehydration, diarrhea and cramps. Most group retrieve wrong a week, but immoderate group tin go severely sick and create a vulnerable kidney condition. Children nether property 5 and older adults are astir astatine risk.