Federal regulators and an Idaho distributor are asking shoppers to check their freezers after tests found E. coli in packaged grass‑fed ground beef that was shipped to six states.
The recall affects more than 2,800 pounds of 16‑ounce, vacuum‑sealed packages labeled "FORWARD FARMS GRASS‑FED GROUND BEEF" with a "USE OR FREEZE BY 01/13/26" date and the establishment number "EST. 2083." The product was produced on Dec. 16 and sent to distributors and retail outlets in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania and Washington, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
What happened
Mountain West Food Group, LLC of Idaho initiated the recall after routine sampling detected E. coli O26 in the ground beef. The USDA says there are no confirmed reports of illness tied to this product so far. Consumers who have the affected packages are being told not to eat them and to either throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
For official recall details and any updates, see the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recall notices: USDA FSIS Recalls & Public Health Alerts.
Why it matters — risks and precautions
E. coli strains that produce Shiga toxin, like some O26 isolates, can cause serious gastrointestinal illness and, in rare cases, a life‑threatening complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Typical symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea (which can be bloody), vomiting and fever. Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe outcomes. For more on symptoms and treatment, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC: E. coli (Escherichia coli).
If you think you or someone in your household has an E. coli infection after eating the product, contact a healthcare provider and mention possible exposure. Keep packaging or purchase receipts if available — they can help public health investigators track distribution.
What consumers should do now
- Check your refrigerator and freezer for 16‑ounce vacuum‑sealed packages labeled "FORWARD FARMS GRASS‑FED GROUND BEEF" with the "USE OR FREEZE BY 01/13/26" date and "EST. 2083."
- Do not taste or eat the beef. Either discard it in a sealed container or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
- Thoroughly wash any surfaces, utensils and containers that may have touched the raw beef with hot, soapy water.
- Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) — the safe temperature recommended by food safety authorities — to kill harmful bacteria. (Note: cooking contaminated ground beef that has already been cross‑contaminated to other foods or surfaces may not eliminate risk unless those areas are also cleaned.)
For questions about the recall, Mountain West Food Group has provided contact information: Jeremy Anderson, CEO — 208‑679‑3765 or [email protected].
This recall is a reminder that routine testing plays a major role in catching contaminated product before widespread illness is reported. If more information becomes available from the USDA or health officials, they will post updates on their official sites.