USDA Issues Health Alert for 800 Pounds of Ground Beef; Notice affects product sold by a Medford, Oregon, store

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for 808 pounds of ground beef produced by Tyson Fresh Meats and sold by a Medford, Oregon, grocery store. A sample of the product, which was produced by the Tyson plant in Lexington, Nebraska, was analyzed in distribution and found to contain E. coli O157:H7.



There have been no reports of illness associated with consumption of this product. There is also no danger to consumers as long as this, or any other ground beef product, is properly handled and cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160° F. However, this health alert is being issued out of an abundance of caution.



The Tyson-produced 85/15 coarse ground beef involved in the alert was further processed, packaged and sold by Sherm’s Food-4-Less in Medford. The product had a Use By/Sell By date of May 19.



USDA has issued a public health alert rather than a recall because it has confirmed none of the affected products remain available for sale at the store. Consumers who may have bought various sized packages of ground beef at this store between May 7 and May 19 are encouraged to check their refrigerators and freezers and discard or return the product for a refund.



Consumers with any questions may call Tyson Foods at 866-328-3156.