USDA Issues Public Health Alert for HelloFresh Ground Beef

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a health alert on Sunday due to concerns that ground beef products in HelloFresh meal kits may be associated with Escherichia coli (E coli) O157:H7. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

The specific meal kits containing ground beef for this public health alert were shipped to consumers from July 2-21, 2022.

However, there might be some of these products that were sold to the public in consumers’ freezers. For those who bought the product during this time period they are recommended to throw it out.

According to FSIS, the product in question has the following specifications and label:

• 10-oz. plastic vacuum-packed 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 ground beef packages bear “EST.46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection and on the plastic ground beef package.
  

FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health partners are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and raw ground beef is the probable source of the reported illnesses. Traceback information identified that multiple case-patients received ground beef produced at establishment M46841 and distributed by HelloFresh in meal kits in the aforementioned time period. Traceback of materials used to produce the ground beef is ongoing and FSIS continues to work with suppliers and public health partners on the investigation.

Consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact hello@hellofresh.com or by live chat.