More than 167,000 pounds of meat with false inspection labels recalled nationwide
By Laura Sharman, CNN
(CNN) — More than 167,000 pounds of meat are being recalled across the United States after being produced without proper federal inspection, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Star Meat Delivery Inc., based in Lucama, North Carolina, is recalling 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products that were distributed to restaurants and retailers, the agency said Tuesday.
The items were “produced without the benefit of federal inspection, bearing labels with a false USDA mark of inspection,” the USDA said. The products beared the number “EST. 1363,” which does not have a federal grant of inspection, and should be considered misbranded and unsafe to eat, the agency said.
Federal law requires all meat sold commercially be inspected and passed to ensure that it is “safe, wholesome, and properly labeled,” under the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
This recall has been classified as class I, the highest health risk, which the agency notes is a “health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury, USDA said, advising anyone with health concerns to contact their healthcare provider.
The meat was produced on several dates before September 22 and was shipped to A&D Foods, a distributor in Georgia, before being sent to retailors and restaurants, the USDA said.
Twenty-three products are affected including items such as slice ribeye, beef oxtail cut, beef short ribs, goat cut and ground pork. A full list of recalled products and labels has been published in an online statement.
The agency said the issue was discovered during a routine food safety inspection. The products had been vacuum-sealed and packed into cardboard boxes for shipping.
It warned that the meat could contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria or other contaminants that pose a risk to consumer health and safety. Shoppers and retailers should look out for the false “EST. 1363” label.
However, the agency said some packaging might not show this label if shops have applied their own stickers with pricing and handling instructions.
“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them,” the USDA said. It advised the products be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
CNN has reached out to Star Meat Delivery Inc. and A&D Foods for comment.
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