USDA Announces Public Health Alert for 6 Ground Beef Products That May Contain E. Coli

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert of 6 ground beef products on April 27 for possible E. coli O26 contamination. The products, which were produced in December, have not been recalled because they are no longer on the market. But if you have a ground beef stash in your freezer, check the labels: ones from Empire Packing bearing a use or freeze by date of "December 24, 2021" should be thrown out or returned to the place of purchase.

The problem was discovered when a consumer who reported illness (but wasn't tested for E. Coli) submitted a package of ground beef for microbiological analysis that tested positive for E. coli O26. The affected products were distributed and sold in Washington and Oregon and include:

• 1-lb. foam trays containing "ALL NATURAL LAURA'S LEAN BEEF 92% LEAN 8% FAT GROUND BEEF." The product is labeled with 350/(timestamp)/Est.31805/002, with the timestamp ranging from 0602 to 1721.
• 1-lb. foam trays containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF CARNE MOLIDA 96% LEAN 4% FAT." The product is labeled with 350/(timestamp)/Est.31805/002, with the timestamp ranging from 0602 to 1721.
• 1-lb. foam trays containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF CARNE MOLIDA 85% LEAN 15% FAT." The product is labeled with 350/(timestamp)/Est.31805/002, with the timestamp ranging from 0602 to 1721.
• 1.3-lb. foam trays containing "PRIVATE SELECTION ANGUS BEEF 90% LEAN 10% FAT GROUND SIRLOIN." The product is labeled with 350/(timestamp)/Est.31805/002, with the timestamp ranging from 0602 to 1721. Additional product is labeled with 351/(timestamp)/Est. 31805/003, with the timestamp ranging from 1549 to 1651.
• 1-lb. foam trays containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF CARNE MOLIDA 93% LEAN 7% FAT." The product is labeled with 350/(timestamp)/Est.31805/002, with the timestamp ranging from 0602 to 1721.
• 1-lb. foam trays containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF CARNE MOLIDA 80% LEAN 20% FAT." The product is labeled with 350/(timestamp)/Est.31805/002, with the timestamp ranging from 0602 to 1721.

Find images of each package label here.

If you have questions regarding the public health announcement, reach out to Debbie Robinson, Vice President of Customer Service, Empire Packing, at drobinson@empirepk.com.