U.S. agriculture officials are cautioning that ground beef distributed at Whole Foods markets across the nation could be tainted with potentially harmful E. coli bacteria.

Authorities have issued a public health alert concerning 1-pound, vacuum-sealed packages of Organic Rancher beef, manufactured on May 22 and May 23 by NPC Processing Inc., based in Shelburne, Vermont. These products carry use-by dates of June 19 and June 20.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service did not call for a recall since the products are no longer available for sale. Nonetheless, they might still be stored in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

The meat was produced in Australia or Uruguay and processed in the U.S. It was sent to distributors in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland and then to Whole Foods stores nationwide. The problem was discovered when company officials notified FSIS that they had shipped beef products that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness.

To date, no illnesses linked to the product have been reported, officials said. Consumers who have the product should throw it away or return it to the store.

E. coli bacteria can cause infections with symptoms that include dehydration, diarrhea and cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some people can become severely ill and develop a dangerous kidney condition. Children under age 5 and older adults are most at risk.

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