Wednesday, November 4, 2020

USDA Issues Warning on Meatballs Potentially Contaminated with Metal Pieces

USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert for heat treated, not fully cooked, not shelf stable, spaghetti and meatballs in marinara sauce products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with metal pieces. USDA did not issue a recall because they believe that most product is not available to consumers any longer, however it is important for consumer to be aware. The product was from Kwik Trip of La Crosse, WI (Est 20852) and was distributed in WI, IA, and MN.

"The problem was discovered when the firm received consumer complaints reporting findings of metal embedded in meatballs in Kwik Trips, Inc., Spaghetti and Meatball in Marinara Sauce product. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products."


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2020/pha-11042020-01
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Spaghetti and Meatballs in Marinara Sauce Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 
November 4, 2020


Congressional and Public Affairs  Felicia Thompson (202) 720-9113  FSISpress@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for heat treated, not fully cooked, not shelf stable, spaghetti and meatballs in marinara sauce products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically metal. FSIS is issuing this public health alert out of the utmost of caution to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase.

The meatball items were produced on Oct. 1, 2020, and then utilized in the production of spaghetti and meatball in marinara sauce product from Oct. 17, 2020 through Nov. 1, 2020. The following products subject to the public health alert are: [View Label (PDF only)]

15.5-oz. plastic containers of “TAKE HOME MEALS SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS IN MARINARA SAUCE” with “10/17/20 - 11/1/20” packaging dates and an “EXP DATE 10/25/20 - 11/9/20” on the products labels.

The products bear establishment number “EST. 20852” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered when the firm received consumer complaints reporting findings of metal embedded in meatballs in Kwik Trips, Inc., Spaghetti and Meatball in Marinara Sauce product. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider. 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.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

Last Modified Nov 04, 2020

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