Consumers are being warned not to eat ground beef sold at Leclerc stores that has been contaminated with a harmful type of bacteria known as E. coli. This contamination could lead to serious health issues, including bloody diarrhea. The recall was announced by Rappel Conso on Monday, September 7, after several batches of steaks and ground meat sold at Leclerc were found to contain Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), a type of bacteria that can cause severe illness. Symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting can appear within a week of consuming contaminated food. In about 5 to 8% of cases, this can lead to serious kidney complications, especially in children. The affected ground beef was sold between September 4 and September 7, 2026, in Leclerc supermarkets across France. The specific product is "Charolais breed ground beef in butchery style" with a 12% fat content, produced by the brand "Nos éleveurs charolais." Three different versions of this ground meat were recalled: a batch of four steaks, a batch of two steaks, and a ground meat product in "angel hair" format. All three versions are packaged in black trays and have a "best before" date of September 13, 2026. Consumers who have purchased these products are advised not to eat them and to return them to the store for a refund. If someone has already consumed the meat and is experiencing symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, or diarrhea, they are encouraged to see a doctor and inform them of their consumption, as well as the store and date of purchase. However, if no symptoms develop within 15 days, it is considered unnecessary to seek medical attention, according to Rappel Conso. As an additional precaution, Rappel Conso recommends that vulnerable groups—such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and those with weakened immune systems—cook ground meats thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius. This helps ensure that any harmful bacteria are fully eliminated, reducing the risk of illness.