Vermont Establishment Recalls Beef Quarters for SRM

A Vermont establishment is recalling approximately 10,828 pounds of raw intact bone-in beef quarters from cattle identified as being over 30 months of age because the products may contain specified risk materials (SRM), specifically vertebral column.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the state of Vermont of a complaint received by the state.  FSIS then investigated the complaint.

Specified risk materials (SRMs) are tissues in cattle that are considered to be of high risk for prion contamination. Prions are proteins that cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow, a disease that causes deterioration of the brain.  Establishments that slaughter cattle or process carcasses or parts of cattle must identify, remove, and segregate SRMs from edible meat, and dispose of those parts.

From USDA procedures for SRM Control, "SRMs are found in cattle of all ages. The age of cattle determines which SRMs require segregation, removal and disposal. Tonsils and the distal ileum of the small intestine are SRMs from cattle of any age. Several tissues are SRMs only in cattle 30 months of age and older (OTM+). For cattle 30 months of age or older, additional SRMs are the skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia (nerves attached to the brain), eyes, spinal cord, vertebral column (excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum), and dorsal root ganglia (nerves attached to the spinal cord)."

USDA Recall Notice
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-121-2018-release
Vermont Packinghouse, LLC Recalls Raw Intact Bone-In Beef Products due to Possible Specified Risk Materials Contamination 
Class II Recall
121-2018
Health Risk: Low
Dec 13, 2018



Congressional and Public Affairs   Veronika Pfaeffle    (202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Dec.13, 2018 – Vermont Packinghouse, LLC, a N. Springfield, Vt. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,828 pounds of raw intact bone-in beef quarters from cattle identified as being over 30 months of age because the products may contain specified risk materials (SRM), specifically vertebral column, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The carcasses were slaughtered from Feb. 8, 2018 to June 8, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:
•White butcher paper wrapped packages of fresh T-bone and Porterhouse steaks from Walden Local Butcher Shop in Boston, Massachusetts.

The quartered carcasses were shipped from Vermont Packinghouse, LLC to the one retail location for further processing and were wrapped in butcher paper for consumers.

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the state of Vermont of a complaint received by the state.  FSIS then investigated the complaint.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or injuries 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 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 and media with questions about the recall can contact at Arion Thiboumery, General Manager of Vermont Packinghouse, LLC, at (802) 886-8688 ext. 2001.