HelloFresh Contamination Sickens New Jerseyans With E. Coli: CDC

NEW JERSEY — An E. coli outbreak linked to a popular meal-delivery service has sickened several New Jerseyans, according to federal health officials. The CDC linked ground beef from HelloFresh kits shipped to customers earlier this summer to seven reports of illness and six hospitalizations in the United States.

Health officials linked the outbreak to seven illnesses — including two people in New Jersey — and six hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. The U.S. Department of Agriculture advised the public to throw out the affected beef if it's still in the freezer.

This marks the nation's first E. coli outbreak of 2022 that federal regulators have linked to a known food source. The CDC continues to investigate an E. coli outbreak that sickened 97 people and hospitalized 43. While many reported sickness after eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy's, the food source remains unknown, according to the CDC.

The HelloFresh meal kits that may have included contaminated ground beef were shipped to customers from July 2-21, according to the CDC. The meat was packed in a 10-ounce, vacuum-packed plastic package inside several varieties of meal kits.

The packaging is labeled "GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN/15% FAT." Packages have "EST.46841" inside the USDA inspection mark and "EST#46841 L1 22 155" or "EST#46841 L5 22 155" on the side of the packaging. (See a photo above.)

Most people with E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting, the CDC says. Symptoms usually begin three to four days after swallowing the bacterial, and most recover without treatment after five to seven days.

But some people may develop serious kidney problems — hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) — and require hospitalization. Here's more info on E. coli.

People should call their health care provider if they have one or more of the following E. coli symptoms:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
• Bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Not peeing much
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Feeling dizzy when standing up

If you received HelloFresh meal kits with ground beef in July and froze any of the ground beef, check your freezer and see if it's part of the impacted lot, the CDC says. Throw it away, and wash surfaces and containers that may have touched the impacted product using hot and soapy water.