The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is issuing a public health alert for retail ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103. These products were sold by Bismillah Halal Meats, a retail market in Marietta, Ga. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

The raw ground beef was produced and sold directly to consumers April 10-23, 2025. All products were weighed, wrapped and labeled in store at the time of purchase. All ground beef products produced and sold by this retailer between April 10-23, 2025, are subject to this public health alert.

The products do not bear an establishment number or the USDA mark of inspection because they were produced under retail exemption.

The problem was discovered when a sample was collected and analyzed by FSIS during retail surveillance, and the sampling results showed the presence of E. coli O103. There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products.

E. coli O103 is a Shiga-toxin producing E. coli. Many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103, because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7. People can become ill from STECs two to eight days after consuming the organism.

Most people infected with STEC O103 develop diarrhea and vomiting. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing a stool sample. Most people recover within a week, but, rarely, some develop a more severe infection. Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, is uncommon with STEC O103 infection. HUS can occur in people of any age, but it is most common in children under five years old, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some 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.

Source: USDA's FSIS