The USDA is alerting customers of a halal meat shop in Marietta, GA, that ground beef they purchased in April may be contaminated with E. coli O103. The agency’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the Public Health Alert on May 1 after tests on a ground sample collected from Bismillah Halal Meats showed the presence of E. coli O103.
Bismillah Halal Meats Ground Beef E. coli Alert
The USDA chose not to ask Bismillah to issue a recall because the potentially contaminated meat was no longer for sale. Instead, the agency issued a Public Health Alert to warn customers who may still have the meat at home.
The beef in question was:
- Sold April 10-23, 2025.
- Weighed, wrapped, and labeled in-store at the time of purchase
Symptoms of an E. coli Infection
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramping and diarrhea that can be bloody. Usually, these symptoms develop one to three days after eating food contaminated with E. coli
It is important to note that over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines should never be used to treat E. coli symptoms, as their use can increase the risk of serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure.
About 7 percent of E. coli patients develop HUS. Most often, it affects children.
Symptoms of HUS usually appear about one week after initial E. coli symptoms. The include:
- Pale skin
- Skin that bruises easily
- Decreased urine output
- Lethargy
- Bloody diarrhea
Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care as HUS can be fatal. Treatment for HUS includes transfusions, dialysis, plasma exchange, and kidney transplant