USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Due to E. coli O26
USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for specific ground beef products produced in December 2021 due to possible E. coli O26 contamination. Consumers are advised to discard or return the affected items.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves E. coli O26, a high-risk pathogen listed in the rubric for a score of 3. Although a consumer reported illness, the source does not confirm a laboratory-verified link to the product or report hospitalizations, preventing a higher severity classification.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert on April 27, 2022, regarding specific ground beef products that may be adulterated with E. coli O26. The alert covers 1-lb. and 1.3-lb. foam trays of ground beef, including brands such as "ALL NATURAL LAURA’S LEAN BEEF," "Kroger GROUND BEEF CARNE MOLIDA," and "PRIVATE SELECTION ANGUS BEEF." These products were produced on December 16 and 17, 2021, and distributed to warehouses in Oregon and Washington for retail sale.
The alert was triggered after a consumer submitted a retail package of ground beef produced by Empire Packing to a third-party laboratory, which tested positive for E. coli O26. The consumer reported becoming ill but did not undergo testing for E. coli. Because the products are no longer available for purchase, a formal recall was not requested, but FSIS is concerned that some product may remain in consumers' freezers.
Consumers who have purchased these specific products are urged not to consume them and should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare raw meat products and to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F using a food thermometer to ensure harmful bacteria are killed.
The recalled product
- Product
- FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O26 Contamination
- Category
- Food — Ground Beef
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same hazard · e coli o26
See all →- SevereMountain West Food Group Recalls Ground Beef Due To E. Coli O26
USDA FSIS · 2025-12-27
- CriticalFresh Express Kit Caesar Supreme Recalled for E. coli O26 Contamination
FDA (Food) · 2020-12-02
- SevereADM Milling Recalls Potentate Flour Due to E. coli O26 Risk
FDA (Food) · 2020-02-19
- SevereADM Milling Recalls Bova Flour HG Due to E. coli O26 Contamination
FDA (Food) · 2020-02-19
- SevereADM Milling Recalls Polar Bear Flour Due to E. coli O26 Risk
FDA (Food) · 2020-02-19