More Than 167,000 Pounds Of Beef, Pork And Goat Products Were Distributed Nationwide Before Federal Officials Discovered Problems With Their Inspection Labels
More than 167,000 pounds of raw meat distributed to retailers and restaurants across the country are being recalled after federal inspectors determined the products were produced without required USDA inspection.
Star Meat Delivery Inc., based in Lucama, North Carolina, is recalling approximately 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Federal officials said the products were produced on various dates before Sept. 22 and carried a USDA mark of inspection bearing establishment number “EST. 1363.” The agency said the number does not have a federal grant of inspection.
The affected products were shipped to Georgia-based distributor A&D Foods before being sent to retail stores and restaurants nationwide.
The recalled meat includes products such as beef ribs, ribeye, oxtail, ground pork, pork chops, chorizo and goat meat, according to reports detailing the recall.
Consumers Warned Not To Eat Recalled Meat
The USDA said products bearing the false establishment number should be considered misbranded and unsafe to eat.
Consumers who have affected products should throw them away or return them to the place where they were purchased.
Identifying the meat could be difficult in some cases because retailers may have removed the original bulk packaging and placed their own pricing and safe-handling labels on individual packages.
Federal officials said food produced without inspection could contain harmful bacteria, undeclared allergens or other contaminants. As of the recall announcement, there had been no confirmed reports of illness or injury linked to the products.
Related: Why Are So Many Foods Being Recalled Right Now?
The problem was discovered during routine checks by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Officials have said the list of affected products could be updated as the investigation continues.
Star Meat Delivery Pushes Back On USDA Description
Star Meat Delivery disputed the characterization that it falsified USDA inspection markings.
In a statement posted to Facebook Thursday, the company said the establishment number was “legitimately reserved” during its application process as it seeks federal approval to process and package meat for A&D Foods.
The company said the approval process remains underway and maintained that the recalled meat originated from a USDA-inspected supplier.
“No other products sold by Star Meat Delivery were mislabeled, and no other products sold by Star Meat Delivery are part of the recall that has been issued,” the company said, adding that it is cooperating with authorities and following recall procedures.
The USDA had not publicly responded to the company’s statement as of Thursday afternoon.
Consumers can review recall information and updates through the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
