Ground beef sold at Whole Foods may be contaminated with E. coli, officials say

It’s time to check your meat — or risk foodborne illness . Some ground beef sold at Whole Foods may be contaminated with dangerous E. coli bacteria, U.S. officials warned this week, according to the Associated Press.

The specific product causing concern are the 1-pound, vacuum-packed packages of Organic Rancher beef. Images of the packaging can be found here. The contamination was discovered when the company alerted federal food safety officials that certain batches had tested positive for E. coli.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service did not order a recall of this beef as packages are no longer on shelves. However, it’s possible customers still have them in their homes, as the products have use-by dates of June 19 and June 20 and could have been stored in a freezer to use beyond those dates.

If you have these packages of beef, it’s recommended that you toss them, and also clean the area around where they were stored in the fridge or freezer as an extra precaution.

What is E. coli?

E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines. However, certain strains — like the one found in contaminated food — can cause serious illness.

Contamination usually happens when feces get into food or water. This can occur if someone doesn’t wash their hands properly after using the bathroom before handling food. It can also come from drinking unpasteurized milk (aka “raw milk”) or coming into contact with animals, such as at a petting zoo.

E. coli was in the news earlier this year, when a deadly outbreak of the bacteria linked to contaminated lettuce hit 15 states. Last year, McDonald’s also had an E. coli problem, with more than 75 people sickened by an outbreak linked to the yellow onions in some of their burgers.

Symptoms of E. coli infection often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It also may lead to more serious complications like kidney failure. If you suspect you were infected with E. coli, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and contact your doctor.

While E. coli is typically not treated with medication and typically resolves on its own between two days and two weeks, it’s important to keep track of your symptoms. Diarrhea that persists beyond that time, intense abdominal pain or problems urinating could be a sign of a secondary complication.