Officials: E. Coli case linked to Nebraska beef

BOSTON -- Massachusetts health officials believe seven recent cases of E. coli are linked to ground beef that was recalled by a Nebraska company.

The most recent E. coli case was announced by health officials on Friday.

The three females and four females who got sick all ate ground beef purchased from Whole Foods Markets in July. Health officials say any ground beef product bought at a Whole Foods Market between June 2 and August 6 should be immediately thrown out.

Nebraska Beef Ltd. of Omaha in June recalled 5.3 million pounds of ground beef linked to E. coli illnesses nationwide. But officials say some of the tainted beef might have entered the retail supply at Whole Foods and was sold after the recall date.

Five of the seven people sickened in Massachusetts required hospitalization.