Alert Overview and Product Details

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for retail ground beef products sold by Bismillah Halal Meats in Marietta, Georgia, due to potential E. coli O103 contamination. The raw ground beef was produced and sold directly to consumers between April 10-23, 2025, with all products weighed, wrapped, and labeled in-store at the time of purchase.

Recall Status and Consumer Action

A formal recall was not requested since the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS officials are concerned that contaminated products may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Customers who purchased ground beef from this retailer during the specified timeframe are urged not to consume the products and should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Product Identification and Exemption Status

The affected products do not bear an establishment number or USDA inspection mark because they were produced under retail exemption. All ground beef products manufactured and sold by Bismillah Halal Meats during the April 10-23 period are subject to this public health alert.

Discovery and Investigation

The contamination was discovered when FSIS collected and analyzed a sample during routine retail surveillance, which tested positive for E. coli O103. No confirmed illnesses related to consumption of these products have been reported to date.

Contact Information

Consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact Murad ManJiyani, owner of Bismillah Halal Meats, at 404-786-1356 or muradmanji@gmail.com.

E. coli O103 Health Information

E.coli O103 is a Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) that is more difficult to identify than the common STEC O157:H7 strain, meaning many clinical laboratories do not routinely test for it. Symptoms typically develop 2-8 days after consumption, with an average onset of 3-4 days.

Symptoms and Treatment

Most people infected with STEC O103 experience diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting, with illnesses typically lasting about a week. Treatment focuses on vigorous rehydration and supportive care, while antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Diagnosis is usually confirmed through stool sample testing.

Serious Complications and Emergency Warning

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal type of kidney failure, can develop as a rare complication. HUS most commonly affects children under 5, older adults, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Warning signs include easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output, which require immediate emergency medical attention.

Original Article:

Food Safety News. (2025, August 7). USDA issues public health alert for halal ground beef. Food Safety News. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/05/usda-issues-public-health-alert-for-halal-ground-beef/