Ground beef sold at Whole Foods may be tainted with E. coli: USDA

U.S. agriculture officials are warning that ground beef sold at Whole Foods markets nationwide may be contaminated with potentially dangerous E. coli bacteria.

Officials issued a public health alert for 1-pound, vacuum-packed packages of Organic Rancher beef, produced on May 22 and May 23, by NPC Processing Inc., of Shelburne, Vermont. The products have use-by dates of June 19 and June 20.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service did not request a recall because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, they may still be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers.

This image provided by The U.S. Safety and Inspection Service shows a package of Organic Rancher ground beef sold at Whole Foods markets. The U.S. Safety and Inspection Service via AP

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