Ground beef sold at Kroger and other grocery stores has tested positive for contamination with E. coli O157:H7, leading to a mass recall.

A statement issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Thursday, January 6, confirmed ground beef sold by Kroger, WinCo, Walmart and Albertsons is being recalled.

The ground beef products being recalled have the establishment number "EST. 965" inside the USDA mark of inspection or printed next to the time stamp and use or freeze by date.

A statement issued by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed these items were shipped to retail locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

The bacteria E. coli is capable of causing hemorrhagic diarrhea and kidney failure, particularly in children younger than five, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

Although most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is recognizable by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care.

People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

The food safety department has warned people to be vigilant, as potentially harmful products could already be in circulation.

The agency wrote: "FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase."

A Kroger spokesperson told Consumer Reports: "Food safety is our top priority," and said the retailer has began an investigation and contacted the supplier.

FSIS advises people to prepare their raw meat products safely and to only eat ground beef cooked to 160F (71C).

The only way to confirm ground beef is cooked to a temperature sufficient to kill harmful bacteria is with a food thermometer measuring internal temperature.

A spokesperson for Kroger told Newsweek: "We urge customers who have purchased the affected product to dispose of it or return it to their local store for a full refund.

"Additionally, customers who have questions may contact Kroger at 1-800-KROGERS Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET."

Beef Products Recalled

WinCo, Fresh Ground Beef Sirloin 90%
lean – 10% fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 18:37 through 18:48 L3, 1/11/2022

Wal-Mart, All Natural Ground Beef
90% lean 10% fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 18:49 through 19:18 L3, 1/11/2022

WinCo, Fresh Ground Beef 93% lean - 7%
fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 19:19 through 21:14 L3,
Use/Freeze by 1/11/22

Kroger, Kroger Ground Beef 93%
lean 7% fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 19:19 through 21:14 L3, Use/Freeze by 1/11/22

Albertsons, Signature Farms Ground Beef
93% LEAN/7% FAT, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 19:19 through 21:14 L3, Use/Freeze by 1/11/22

Wal-Mart, All Natural Lean Ground Beef
93% lean 7% fat, 16 oz. (1 lb.) chub, 21:15 through 22:42 L3, 1/11/2022

Wal-Mart, All Natural Ground Beef 93% lean 7% fat
48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 18:15 through 21:18 L1, 1/11/2022

Win-Co, Fresh Ground Beef 93%
Lean - 7% fat, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 18:15 through 21:18 L1, 1/11/2022

Kroger, Ground Beef 93% LEAN 7%
FAT, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 18:15 through 21:18 L1, 1/11/2022

Albertsons, Signature Farms Ground Beef
93% lean 7% fat, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 18:15 through 21:18 L1, 1/11/2022

Wal-Mart, All Natural Ground Beef
93% LEAN 7% FAT, 48 oz. (3 lb.) chub, 21:00 through 22:19 L2, 1/11/2022

Ground Beef Recall
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced the recall of thousands of pounds of ground beef sergeyryzhov/Getty Images

Update 1/7/22, 8:57 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include comment from a Kroger spokesperson.