USDA reports potential E. coli contamination in ground beef from Whole Foods.

Officials from the U.S. agriculture sector are cautioning that ground beef sold at all Whole Foods stores across the country could be tainted with potentially harmful E. coli bacteria.

The authorities have sounded a public health alarm specifically for 1-pound, vacuum-sealed packs of Organic Rancher beef, which were manufactured on May 22 and May 23 by NPC Processing Inc. in Shelburne, Vermont. These products come with use-by dates of June 19 and June 20.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service opted not to initiate a product recall since these items are no longer on the market shelves. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that they are still present in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

The meat was produced in Australia or Uruguay and processed in the U.S. It was sent to distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland and then to Whole Foods stores nationwide. The problem was discovered when company officials notified FSIS that they had shipped beef products that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness.

To date, no illnesses linked to the product have been reported, officials said. Consumers who have the product should throw it away or return it to the store.

E. coli bacteria can cause infections with symptoms that include dehydration, diarrhea and cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some people can become severely ill and develop a dangerous kidney condition. Children under age 5 and older adults are most at risk.

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