MA Establishment Recalls Shaved Beef for Plastic Foreign Material

A Massachusetts establishment is recalling shaved beef after a retail outlet notified the firm that the product had "readily visible, long, thin strands of clear soft plastic from packaging material".  They further stated that because "the plastic is readily visible and identifiable, it is highly unlikely that it would be consumed and, therefore, the health risk is extremely low."

USDA FSIS Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/FSIS-Content/internet/main/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2017/rnr-021-2017
F.B. Packing Co., Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class III Recall 021-2017
Mar 6, 2017
Congressional and Public Affairs Benjamin A. Bell (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2017 – F.B. Packing Co., Inc., a Boston, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,430 pounds of shaved beef products that may be contaminated with plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The shaved steak items were produced on Dec. 21, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
10-lb. poly bag packages containing thin-sliced (shaved) pieces of “Frank Bertolino Beef Co. Inc. Certified Angus Beef XL Shaved Steak” with case code 71888
10-lb. poly bag packages containing thin-sliced (shaved) pieces of “Bellissimo Silver Beef Shaved Steak.” with case code 71882

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 17994A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The cases bear a “Use by” date of 7/21/2017. These items were shipped to retail locations in Illinois and Massachusetts.

The problem was discovered when the firm was notified of the foreign matter by a retail store. The product contained readily visible, long, thin strands of clear soft plastic from packaging material. Because the plastic is readily visible and identifiable, it is highly unlikely that it would be consumed and, therefore, the health risk is extremely low.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Leo Bertolino, President, at (617) 269-6340.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov.The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.