Ground beef with possible E. coli distributed nationwide, including to Whole Foods, USDA says

Ground beef that was distributed nationwide may be contaminated with E. coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

In a public health alert issued Wednesday, the agency said the one-pound, vacuum-packed packages of "ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT" were produced on May 22 and 23 this year. The packaging is labeled with "Use or Freeze By 06-19-25" and "Use or Freeze By 06-20-25" and has "EST. 4027" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The beef was distributed to Whole Foods Market retail locations nationwide and shipped to distributor locations in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland.