Nearly 3,000 pounds of raw ground beef has been recalled in six states due to concerns of potential E. coli contamination, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture release shared on December 27.
Mountain West Food Group, LLC, a company based in Heyburn, Idaho, recalled approximately 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef products produced on December 16, 2025. The product subject to recall includes: “16-oz. (1-lb.) vacuum-sealed packages containing ‘FORWARD FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF’ with ‘USE OF FREEZE BY 01/13/26 EST 2083’ printed on the side of the packaging.”
The recalled beef has the establishment number “EST 2083” on its packaging and was shipped to distributors in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania and Washington. The issue was discovered during routine FSIS testing, at which point sampling results showed the presence of E. coli 026, though there have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of the recalled products.
E. coli 026 is a serovar of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and can result in illness averaging 34 days after exposure with symptoms including diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Patients are advised to undergo vigorous rehydration and other supportive care when diagnosed.
Anyone with concerns about the illness are advised to contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that the recalled item may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers and have strongly urged that the items are not consumed, rather should be thrown away or returned to their place of purchase.
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