Check Your Fridge For Potentially Unsafe Ground Beef In New York

Ground beef sold in New York State may be contaminated. Consumers should check their refrigerators or freezers. The ground bee poses a potential health threat to certain New Yorkers. With Father's Day coming up, residents may be grilling or cooking using the ground beef at the center of the public health alert.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for the ground beef products, which are raw. It was produced on May 22, 2025, and May 23, 2025. With the production date being fairly recent, there is a good likelihood that the beef could be in consumers' freezers.

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The ground beef product, which has "EST. 4027" inside the USDA mark of inspection, was sold at Whole Foods stores in New York State and nationwide. The one-pound vacuum-packed packages of "ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT" with "Use or Freeze By 06-19-25" and "Use or Freeze By 06-20-25 on the packaging are at the center of the health alert.

The products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Because the products have been removed from store shelves, a "recall" has not been issued, just a public health alert for consumers who may still have the product on hand.

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The Centers for Disease Control says there are approximately 70,000 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections each year,

"E. coli O157:H7 causes a severe intestinal infection in humans. It is the most common strain to cause illness in people. It can be differentiated from other E. coli by the production of a potent toxin that damages the lining of the intestinal wall causing bloody diarrhea."

If you purchased the Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef, do not consume it. Throw it away or return it to Whole Foods.

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