Two Massive Recalls of Meat Products Due to Complaints of Foreign Material

There were two massive recalls of meat products for foreign Material this week.  In the past month, USDA has announced 5 recalls due to foreign matter contamination.

• Koch Foods, Inc., a Fairfield, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 119,480 pounds of beef rib-shaped patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically thin blue plastic pieces.  There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.  The problem was discovered when the firm received notification from "a" customer,
• Conagra Brands, Inc., a Russellville, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 135,159 pounds of Salisbury steak products (poultry, pork, and beef) that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically bone.  The problem was discovered after the firm received several consumer complaints and three reports of minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product.

The rib-shaped beef patties with thin blue plastic pieces (gloves or wrapping?) was a Class II recall and was the result of "a" complaint...so one complaint.  Back in the day, someone would just throw it out...now, a recall of 60 tons of produce, close to 3 full tractor trailer loads.  But we get it, it shouldn't be there.

The Salisbury steak recall was classified as a Class I recall since there were actual injuries.  Sounds like the bone collection system on the grinder may not have been working well enough?  (how a bone collection system works)  This recall was for 67 tons of product. Salisbury steak is that wonderful concoction of meat and other ingredients (Mechanically Separated Chicken, Pork, Water, Beef, Textured Vegetable Protein (Soy Flour, Caramel Color), Breader (Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Durum Flour, Leavening [Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate], Yeast), 2% or less of the following: Soy Protein Concentrate, Salt, Dehydrated Onion, Caramel Color, Flavoring, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Dextrose, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin.) smothered with gravy.   Grill marks added for added pleasure.

So that is over 120 tons of meat product....that's a lot of meat. 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-032-2018-release
Koch Foods Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall

032-2018
Health Risk: Low 

Apr 11, 2018
Congressional and Public Affairs Benjamin A. Bell (202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2018 – Koch Foods, Inc., a Fairfield, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 119,480 pounds of beef rib-shaped patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically thin blue plastic pieces, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The fully cooked, not shelf stable rib-shaped beef patty with BBQ sauce products were produced on July 8, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [View Label (PDF Only)]
•30-lb. bulk boxes containing 6 plastic shrink-wrapped unlabeled packages of “Fully Cooked Rib-Shaped Beef Patty With BBQ Sauce” and identified by case code “67329” and lot number “JTM 16190” represented on the label.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 20795” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to a distributors nationwide for institutional use.
The problem was discovered when the firm received notification from a customer, and the firm notified FSIS on April 5, 2018.

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 is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

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 with questions about the recall can contact Mark Kaminsky, Quality Assurance Manager, at (847) 384-5940. Media with questions can contact James Bohlander, Recall Coordinator, at (513) 642-2653.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-031-2018-release
Conagra Brands Inc. Recalls Salisbury Steak Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall 

031-2018
Health Risk: High 

Apr 11, 2018

Congressional and Public Affairs  Benjamin A. Bell  (202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2018 – Conagra Brands, Inc., a Russellville, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 135,159 pounds of Salisbury steak products (poultry, pork, and beef) that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically bone, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The family-style, heat treated, not shelf stable Salisbury steak and brown gravy products were produced on March 10, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
•27-oz. carton containing plastic shrink-wrapped packages containing 6 pieces of “Banquet FAMILY SIZE 6 SALISBURY STEAKS & BROWN GRAVY MADE WITH CHICKEN, PORK AND BEEF – GRILL MARKS ADDED” with lot code 5006 8069 10 05and a ‘BEST BY’ date of SEP 01 2019 printed on the package.

The products subject to recall bear the USDA mark of inspection with establishment number “P-115” located on the side panel of the consumer package. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered after the firm received several consumer complaints and three reports of minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product.

Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.


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. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.


Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Conagra Brands Consumer Affairs at (800) 289-6014. Members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Kristine Mulford, Manager of Communications at (312) 549-5522.