Quick, authoritative update: Mountain West Food Group, LLC has issued a recall of 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef sold under the Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef label due to potential contamination with E. coli O26 — a Shiga toxin–producing strain that can cause serious illness. Consumers in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Washington should immediately check their freezers for packages marked with “EST 2083” and a Use/Freeze-By date of January 13, 2026.
What’s Happening Now
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed that 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef produced December 16, 2025, by Mountain West Food Group, LLC may contain E. coli O26, based on results from routine regulatory testing. The risk is significant enough that the company and FSIS have formally recalled the product and urged consumers not to eat it.
As of the latest reports:
- No illnesses have been confirmed in connection with this product — but symptoms can take up to nearly a month to appear after exposure.
- E. coli O26 infections can include diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.
- Particularly vulnerable groups include young children, older adults, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals.
If you purchased this beef, discard it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
How the Recall Was Discovered
This recall did not stem from consumer complaints or reports of foodborne illness — it was identified through routine FSIS surveillance sampling, which detected the E. coli O26 pathogen in product samples. Once confirmed, FSIS determined that the contamination posed an unacceptable public health risk, prompting the recall.
This type of proactive testing is standard regulatory practice and aims to prevent illness before it spreads. Still — from my years covering U.S. food safety — even early detection can miss packages already in home freezers, which is why the recall notice is urgent
What Products Are Included
Only a specific batch of raw ground beef is involved in this recall:
- Brand: Forward Farms
- Product: Grass-Fed Ground Beef
- Packaging: 16-oz (1-lb) vacuum-sealed packages
- Label Details: “USE OR FREEZE BY 01/13/26”
- Establishment Number: EST 2083
- Production Date: December 16, 2025
- Distributor States: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, Washington
If the packaging does not match the above exactly — especially the EST 2083 code — it is not part of this recall.
What E. coli O26 Is — And Why It Matters
E. coli bacteria are common in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. Most strains are harmless, but certain ones — like O26 — produce Shiga toxins that can cause serious illness. This strain is less notorious than E. coli O157:H7 but still can produce severe symptoms and complications.
Typical Symptoms
- Diarrhea (often bloody)
- Severe stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low-grade fever
- Dehydration
Symptoms may appear 1–10 days after exposure but can sometimes take up to 28 days to show — which complicates tracking and diagnosis.
Serious Risks
Although most people recover within a week, some — particularly children and older adults — can develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious condition affecting the kidneys. In rare cases, this can be life-threatening.
If anyone develops bloody diarrhea, reduced urine output, unexplained bruising, or extreme fatigue, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
States and Retail Distribution
This recall spans six U.S. states:
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
Retailers in these areas are expected to have removed the affected products from shelves, but FSIS explicitly warns that some packages might still be in consumer freezers. That’s why the public notification is so critical now — days after production and shipment.
What To Do Right Now
Step 1: Check Your Freezer
Look for Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef packages with:
- Use/Freeze-By date: 01/13/26
- Establishment number: EST 2083
- Package weight: 16 oz (1 lb)
Step 2: Don’t Cook It
Cooking might reduce but does not eliminate the recall risk — FSIS advises not to consume the product, even if cooked, because the recall is based on possible contamination, not just spoilage.
Step 3: Dispose or Return
Throw it out safely (in sealed bags) or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
Step 4: Monitor Health
If you or anyone exposed experiences symptoms of E. coli infection, contact a healthcare provider without delay.
Broader Context: Food Safety, Recalls & You
The FSIS recall system exists to protect public health — and this incident highlights both its strengths and limitations. Routine microbial testing often catches hazards before illnesses emerge. But because ground beef is so widely consumed and easily stored — including in freezers — recalls still demand urgent consumer action. opb
In 2025, recalls involving pathogens like E. coli and Listeria have been closely tracked by regulatory agencies — reflecting both ongoing safety challenges and improved detection technologies.
Conclusion: Urgent Action, No Panic
Here’s the bottom line:
✔ 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef are under recall.
✔ No illnesses reported yet — but symptoms can be delayed.
✔ Check your freezer now for Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef with EST 2083 and the 01/13/26 date.
✔ Do not eat it — dispose of or return for a refund.
This recall matters because E. coli O26 — though less infamous than some strains — still poses a real health risk, especially to the most vulnerable among us. In food safety, prevention trumps treatment every time.
