USDA flags some HelloFresh meal kit ground beef for possible E. coli contamination
The affected meal kits were distributed between July 2 and July 21.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert Saturday over ground beef products in HelloFresh meal kits that were shipped in July over a possible E. coli contamination.
The meal kits containing the affected ground beef packages were shipped to consumers from July 2 to July 21, according to the alert.
Consumers should look for the Hello Fresh 10-ounce plastic vacuum-sealed packages containing "GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN/15% FAT" with codes "EST#46841 L1 22 155" or "EST#46841 L5 22 155" on the side of the packaging, the FSIS said.
"The ground beef packages bear 'EST.46841' inside the USDA mark of inspection and on the plastic ground beef package," the statement read.
The FSIS said it isn't issuing a recall because the affected products are no longer available for purchase, but the agency said it has concerns for anyone who still has the package in their freezers. If so, they are asked not to cook or eat the product and throw it away immediately.
The FSIS said it is investigating an E. coli outbreak and that raw ground beef is the probable source of the reported illnesses.