The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for ground beef products potentially contaminated with E. coli. The products, produced in March and distributed nationwide, have packaging dates of ‘032824’ and Use/Freeze by dates of April 22nd. Consumers who have purchased these products are advised not to consume them. E. coli, particularly Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can cause severe illnesses and infections. Five protective measures to consider include: assessing personal risk levels, adhering to food safety guidelines (clean, separate, cook, and chill), maintaining proper hygiene, cooking meats thoroughly, and avoiding raw or unpasteurized products and water sources.