Introduction
The USDA recently issued a warning about two types of meat sold at Whole Foods that could be dangerous. The two types of meat are ground beef and ground pork, and the USDA is warning consumers to avoid eating them due to potential contamination with E. coli and Salmonella. Eating contaminated meat can cause serious health problems, including food poisoning, so it is important to be aware of the risks associated with these two types of meat. In this article, we will discuss the warning from the USDA and provide tips on how to avoid eating contaminated meat. We will also provide some alternatives to ground beef and pork that are safer to eat.
These Two Types of Meat Sold at Whole Foods Could Be Dangerous, USDA Says
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently issued a warning about two types of meat sold at Whole Foods stores across the country. The agency said that the products, which are both ground beef products, could be contaminated with E. coli.
The products in question are the Whole Foods Market Ground Beef (85% lean/15% fat) and the Whole Foods Market Ground Beef Patties (85% lean/15% fat). The products were sold in stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The USDA said that the products may be contaminated with E. coli O103, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness. Symptoms of E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Most people recover within a week, but some can develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
The USDA is urging anyone who purchased the products to throw them away or return them to the store for a refund. The agency also said that anyone who ate the products and is experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
This is not the first time that Whole Foods has been linked to a food safety issue. In 2018, the company recalled a variety of products due to potential listeria contamination. In 2017, the company recalled a variety of products due to potential salmonella contamination.
It is important to remember that food safety is a shared responsibility. Consumers should always follow safe food handling practices, such as washing hands and surfaces often, cooking food to the proper temperature, and avoiding cross-contamination.
If you have purchased the recalled products, the USDA recommends that you throw them away or return them to the store for a refund. If you have eaten the products and are experiencing symptoms, seek medical attention.
Eat This Not That
When it comes to food safety, it is always best to err on the side of caution. If you are unsure about the safety of a product, it is best to avoid it. When shopping for ground beef, look for products that are labeled as USDA-inspected and have a “sell by” date that is not expired.
It is also important to follow safe food handling practices, such as washing hands and surfaces often, cooking food to the proper temperature, and avoiding cross-contamination. By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that the food you eat is safe and healthy.
Sometimes errors in food products sold at the grocery store are found by the manufacturer or by a government department like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But other times things slip through the cracks and it’s consumers who purchased the item and brought it home who discover an issue. Right now that is the case for two types of meat sold across the country at Whole Foods — and by reporting it they could be helping others who picked it up recently stay safe.
Both the Organic Rancher 93% Lean and 7% Fat Organic Ground Beef and Organic Rancher 85% Lean and 15% Fat Organic Ground Beef packages sold at the Amazon-owned grocery chain were the subjects of consumer complaints saying they found hard, rigid plastic inside, according to a public health alert sent out by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). While sometimes this problem would result in a recall being issued, the organization says that one was not requested “because the products are no longer available for purchase” at Whole Foods.
However, because both types of ground beef were produced on April 20 and have a “Use By” date of 5-18-2022, they could still be in shoppers’ fridges or freezers. They both come in a 16-ounce size and have an establishment number of EST. 4027 on the red and/or green labeling, as well.
“FSIS is concerned that the products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the public health alert notice says. “There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.”
Again, the two meat products are no longer being sold at Whole Foods. But this isn’t the only news to come out of the health-focused grocery chain lately. Just last week Amazon announced it is closing some locations because of “performance and growth potential”.
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Amanda McDonald