Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is advising consumers who purchased ground beef or ground beef patties from Whole Foods Market between June 2, 2008 and August 6, 2008 to discard it and return the packaging or receipt to the store for a full refund. Please check any ground beef that may be stored in your freezer.
There has been a multi-state outbreak of E.coli infection with 7 cases in neighboring Massachusetts. All cases in Massachusetts are related and initial investigations suggest ground beef from Whole Foods Market as the likely source of contamination.
“Although there have been no cases in Rhode Island that are linked to this outbreak, HEALTH advises that consumers should discard potentially tainted ground beef purchased from Whole Foods Market,” said Director of Center for Epidemiology and Infectious Disease Robert S. Crausman, MD, MMS.
E. coli 0157:H7 is a type of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, the elderly and persons with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should call their healthcare provider.
“We are pleased that HEALTH’s Center of Epidemiology and Office of Food Protection are continuously monitoring the region and the nation to protect Rhode Island,” said Chief of Food Protection Ernest Julian, Ph.D.
For more information about how to prevent food-borne illness, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/disease/communicable/ecoli.php.