Raw ground beef from five firms has been recalled or flagged for E. coli since November 2024. Three firms recalled their beef and two received public health alerts.
The Wolverine Packing Co. recall reported 15 case-patients in one state. Four other notices reported no confirmed illness. FSIS has closed all three recalls, and lists the two alerts as Active.
E. coli infection can lead to serious illness. Do not eat recalled beef, and contact a healthcare provider if you became ill. No MDL has been formed for ground beef illness.
- Case or litigation name: No case named in the FSIS notices
- Defendants: None named in the FSIS notices
- Court and docket number, when available: No docket named in the FSIS notices
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL
- Filing date: No filing named in the FSIS notices
- Main allegations: No court allegations; FSIS notices report possible E. coli contamination of raw ground beef
- Products or people involved: Raw ground beef from five recalling firms: Wolverine Packing Co., Organic Rancher (NPC Processing, LLC), Bismillah Halal Meats, Mountain West Food Group, LLC and CS Beef Packers, LLC
Table Of Contents
- Latest Ground Beef Food Poisoning Lawsuit Updates
- March 20, 2026: FSIS Closes the CS Beef Packers Recall
- March 2, 2026: FSIS Closes the Mountain West Food Group Recall
- February 11, 2026: CS Beef Packers Recalls Raw Ground Beef
- December 27, 2025: Mountain West Food Group Recalls Ground Beef
- June 3, 2025: FSIS Issues Organic Rancher Public Health Alert
- May 1, 2025: FSIS Issues Bismillah Halal Meats Public Health Alert
- January 21, 2025: FSIS Closes the Wolverine Packing Recall
- November 20, 2024: Wolverine Packing Recalls Ground Beef
- What Is E. Coli?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Are the Symptoms of E. Coli from Ground Beef?
- What Temperature Should Ground Beef Be Cooked To?
- Can Ground Beef Cause Salmonella?
- Is There a Class Action Lawsuit for Ground Beef Food Poisoning?
- What Does the Research Say About E. Coli and Ground Beef?
- How Do I Know If My Ground Beef Was Recalled?
- References
Latest Ground Beef Food Poisoning Lawsuit Updates
March 20, 2026: FSIS Closes the CS Beef Packers Recall
On March 20, 2026, USDA‘s FSIS listed recall 003-2026 from CS Beef Packers, LLC as Closed [1]. FSIS says 120 pounds were recovered.
March 2, 2026: FSIS Closes the Mountain West Food Group Recall
On March 2, 2026, FSIS listed recall 042-2025 from Mountain West Food Group, LLC as Closed [2]. FSIS reports 2,424 pounds back.
February 11, 2026: CS Beef Packers Recalls Raw Ground Beef
FSIS announced on February 11, 2026 that CS Beef Packers, LLC of Kuna, Idaho was recalling approximately 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef chubs because of possible E. coli O145 contamination.
The possible contamination was found in FSIS testing at a downstream customer. The beef shipped to foodservice locations in California, Idaho and Oregon.
December 27, 2025: Mountain West Food Group Recalls Ground Beef
FSIS announced on December 27, 2025 that Mountain West Food Group of Heyburn, Idaho was recalling approximately 2,855 pounds of Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef over possible E. coli O26 contamination.
Routine FSIS testing found the possible contamination. Consumers who bought the product are urged not to eat it. It should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
June 3, 2025: FSIS Issues Organic Rancher Public Health Alert
On June 3, 2025, FSIS issued a public health alert over possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination in Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef 85% lean 15% fat, packed by NPC Processing, LLC [3].
The 1-lb packages were sold at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. No recall was requested because the products were no longer available for purchase.
May 1, 2025: FSIS Issues Bismillah Halal Meats Public Health Alert
On May 1, 2025, FSIS named ground beef from Bismillah Halal Meats in an alert over possible contamination with E. coli O103 [4]. The beef was made under retail exemption, and FSIS lists the alert as Active.
January 21, 2025: FSIS Closes the Wolverine Packing Recall
On January 21, 2025, FSIS listed recall 031-2024 from Wolverine Packing Co. as Closed [5]. Of the recalled beef, 22,755 pounds came back.
November 20, 2024: Wolverine Packing Recalls Ground Beef
FSIS announced on November 20, 2024 that Wolverine Packing Co. of Detroit, Michigan was recalling approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
On November 13, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture told FSIS of ill people who had eaten ground beef. FSIS then worked with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on the investigation.
What Is E. Coli?
According to the CDC, E. coli are germs called bacteria that are found in the environment, foods, water, and the intestines of people and animals [6]. Most are harmless, but some can make people sick.
People can get infected after swallowing E. coli, through contaminated food or water or contact with animals. FSIS notices describe the strains in these recalls (O157:H7, O145, O26 and O103) as Shiga toxin-producing.
Who May Be Affected?
People who ate raw ground beef from the recalled or alerted products may be affected. The notices identify these products:
- Wolverine Packing Co. product with a “use by” date of 11/14/2024 (fresh) or production date 10 22 24 (frozen), EST. 2574B, shipped to restaurants nationwide
- Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef, 1-lb vacuum-packed, “Use or Freeze By 06-19-25” or “06-20-25”, EST. 4027
- Bismillah Halal Meats ground beef sold in Marietta, Georgia between April 10 and April 23, 2025, with no establishment number
- Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef, 16-oz, use-or-freeze-by date 01/13/26, EST 2083, sold at retail in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania and Washington
- CS Beef Packers, LLC chubs, EST. 630, “Use/Freeze By: 02/04/26”
FSIS says people can become ill 2 to 8 days (average 3 to 4 days) after exposure to STEC. The CDC lists children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems as at increased risk.
Whether you may qualify depends on the facts of your own meal and illness, and only an individual legal review can say.
Reported Injuries or Damages
In the Wolverine Packing Co. investigation, FSIS reports 15 case-patients in one state. Illness onset dates ranged from November 2, 2024 to November 10, 2024.
FSIS determined there was a link between the Wolverine ground beef and the illness cluster. A ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture tested positive for E. coli O157 on November 20, 2024.
The investigation was ongoing when FSIS issued its notice, and these are agency reports rather than court findings. FSIS reports no confirmed illness for the Organic Rancher, Bismillah Halal Meats, Mountain West Food Group and CS Beef Packers notices.
The CDC symptoms page says most people with E. coli infection have diarrhea that can be bloody or watery and stomach cramps that can be severe [7]. Some also have vomiting or a low fever.
Infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can trigger hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS can lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems, and even death.
Recall and Regulatory Background
A recall or alert does not establish liability. No ground beef illness MDL is pending before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, according to its Pending MDL Dockets by Actions Pending report [8].
The FDA Salmonella overview says past U.S. outbreaks of salmonellosis have been associated with meat products [9]. You can read more about the CS Beef Packers recall and the Organic Rancher ground beef recall.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep these items if you became ill after eating ground beef:
- Product identifiers: the package or case label, “use by” or “freeze by” date, lot or production code and the EST. establishment number FSIS notices list
- Purchase records: receipts, loyalty-card or order history, and the store or restaurant name and date
- Photographs of the packaging and the remaining product
- The leftover product, kept frozen and labeled if a doctor or health department asks for it
- Medical records: stool test or lab results, doctor and hospital visit records, medicines and bills
- A dated record of symptoms and missed work
- Names of others who ate the same meal and any contact with the health department
Questions about a meat product can go to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or MPHotline@usda.gov.
Filing Deadlines
State law sets the time limit for a food poisoning claim. The limit depends on where you live and on when the illness and its diagnosis happened.
Some states start the clock at diagnosis. Missing a deadline can end a claim even when the facts are strong, so ask a lawyer about your deadline promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Symptoms of E. Coli from Ground Beef?
With E. coli from ground beef, call a doctor if diarrhea or vomiting lasts more than 2 days. Call also for bloody poop or pee, a fever higher than 102°F or dehydration signs. The CDC calls HUS a medical emergency.
What Temperature Should Ground Beef Be Cooked To?
Ground beef should be cooked to 160 degrees F (71.1 degrees C), according to the FSIS safe temperature chart [10]. FSIS says only a food thermometer can confirm the beef is hot enough to kill harmful bacteria.
Can Ground Beef Cause Salmonella?
No FSIS Salmonella recall, alert or outbreak involving ground beef is verified, and every ground beef notice is for E. coli. The FDA says most people infected with Salmonella develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection, and illness usually lasts four to seven days.
Is There a Class Action Lawsuit for Ground Beef Food Poisoning?
A class action lawsuit for ground beef food poisoning is not part of any MDL. The one beef-related MDL, Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation (MDL 3031), covers antitrust claims rather than illness. A separate state or federal class action cannot be ruled out.
What Does the Research Say About E. Coli and Ground Beef?
Research on E. coli and ground beef includes the FSIS Bismillah alert, which says many clinical laboratories do not test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103. HUS is uncommon with STEC O103 infection, and HUS in general is most common in children under 5 years old.
How Do I Know If My Ground Beef Was Recalled?
You can tell whether your ground beef was recalled by matching its label to the FSIS notice. If you have a problem with a meat product, you can report it online through the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System, open 24 hours a day.
References
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/cs-beef-packers-llc-recalls-ground-beef-products-may-be-contaminated-e–coli-o145
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/mountain-west-food-group-llc-recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e–coli-o26
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e–coli-o157h7-1
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-bismillah-halal-meats-ground-beef-due-possible-e-
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/wolverine-packing-co–recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e–coli-o157h7
- https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/signs-symptoms/index.html
- https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-October-1-2026.pdf
- https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/salmonella-salmonellosis
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/safe-temperature-chart