A public health alert has been issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for ground beef products sold at Bismillah Halal Meats, a retail market in Marietta, Georgia due to potential contamination with E. coli, a pathogen that can cause serious, and sometimes severe, foodborne illness in certain populations.
Background
The presence of E. coli was discovered during routine sampling by the FSIS, which revealed the presence of E. coli.
The affected ground beef product was sold to customers of the market from April 10 to April 23, 2025.
Distribution
The product was only sold at Bismillah Halal Meats in Marietta, Georgia.
Product Details
- Retailer – Bismillah Halal Meats
- Product – Raw ground beef
- Size – Variable (the affected product was weighted, wrapped, and labeled at the store at time of purchase)
Consumer Action
Consumers should search their refrigerators freezers for the affected product.
As with all food-related public health alerts, consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the affected product even if they look or smell safe to eat.
Anyone in possession of the product is requested to not sell, serve, donate, or distribute them.
The affected product should be returned to the place of purchase or thrown away immediately.
Consumers should thoroughly sanitize any surface or utensils that have come into contact with the impacted product.
Consumers with additional questions or concerns can contact Murad ManJiyani, owner of Bismillah Halal Meats at 404-786-1356 or [email protected].
Health Risks
There have been no reports of injuries or illnesses associated with consumption of the recalled product. Any consumer who has come into contact with the impacted item, and is experiencing sickness or symptoms of food poisoning, should contact their medical provider immediately.
The majority of E. coli strains are not harmful and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut ecosystem by assisting in breaking down the food, contributing to the production of essential vitamins, and acting as a defense mechanism against more dangerous microorganisms.
However, not all E. coli are benign. Certain strains can cause a range of health issues in humans, including gastrointestinal distress resulting in diarrhea, infections of the urinary tract, respiratory ailments like pneumonia, and even severe systemic infections such as sepsis. Symptoms generally appear two to five days after exposure but can emerge anywhere from one to eight days later. Most people recover within 5-10 days.
Of particular concern, however, is the potential for some patients to develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure, neurological damage, and in extreme cases, death. This risk makes early medical intervention crucial for infected individuals.
According to national E. coli lawyer Ron Simon, whose firm has represented dozens of clients in multiple high profile E. coli lawsuits, “An E. coli infection has the potential to be extremely dangerous. Certain groups like the young, seniors, and immune compromised people are especially at risk but anyone can be sickened as E. coli does not discriminate.”
