USDA Warns of Nationwide Ground Beef E. coli Contamination Risk

Health officials issued an urgent warning about ground beef sold at Whole Foods, produced in Australia or Uruguay, contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, a bacteria linked to severe illness and potentially to colon cancer. The contaminated products, produced on May 22-23, are no longer available for purchase but may still be in consumers' homes. No illnesses have been reported yet, but the bacteria pose serious health risks, especially to vulnerable populations.