These Two Types of Meat Sold at Whole Foods Could Be Dangerous, USDA Says

Sometimes errors in food products sold at the grocery store are found by the manufacturer or by a government department like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But other times things slip through the cracks and it's consumers who purchased the item and brought it home who discover an issue. Right now that is the case for two types of meat sold across the country at Whole Foods — and by reporting it they could be helping others who picked it up recently stay safe.

Both the Organic Rancher 93% Lean and 7% Fat Organic Ground Beef and Organic Rancher 85% Lean and 15% Fat Organic Ground Beef packages sold at the Amazon-owned grocery chain were the subjects of consumer complaints saying they found hard, rigid plastic inside, according to a public health alert sent out by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). While sometimes this problem would result in a recall being issued, the organization says that one was not requested "because the products are no longer available for purchase" at Whole Foods.

However, because both types of ground beef were produced on April 20 and have a "Use By" date of 5-18-2022, they could still be in shoppers' fridges or freezers. They both come in a 16-ounce size and have an establishment number of EST. 4027 on the red and/or green labeling, as well.

Whole Foods meat dangerous — Courtesy of FSIS

"FSIS is concerned that the products may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase," the public health alert notice says. "There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider."

Again, the two meat products are no longer being sold at Whole Foods. But this isn't the only news to come out of the health-focused grocery chain lately. Just last week Amazon announced it is closing some locations because of "performance and growth potential".