More than 167,000 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat meat are being recalled across the United States after the products were produced without proper federal inspection, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Star Meat Delivery recall involves 167,639 pounds of raw meat products produced by Star Meat Delivery Inc., a company based in Lucama, North Carolina.
According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the recalled products were distributed to restaurants and retailers after being shipped to A&D Foods, a distributor in Georgia.
The agency said the meat was produced without the benefit of federal inspection and carried a false USDA mark of inspection. Federal inspection is required for meat products sold commercially in the United States.
The USDA said consumers should consider the recalled products misbranded and unsafe to eat.
A major concern in the Star Meat Delivery recall is the use of the establishment number “EST. 1363.”
The USDA said this number does not have a federal grant of inspection. The recalled meat was therefore not legally produced under the federal inspection system, despite packaging that carried a USDA inspection mark.
Federal law requires commercially sold meat to be inspected and passed by the USDA to help ensure that products are safe, wholesome and properly labeled.
Consumers and retailers are being urged to check meat packaging for the “EST. 1363” marking.
However, the USDA warned that some packages may no longer display the establishment number because retailers may have placed their own stickers on the products for pricing or handling information.
Recall Classified as Class I Health Risk
The Star Meat Delivery recall has been classified as a Class I recall, which is the highest risk classification used by the USDA.
According to the agency, a Class I recall involves a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that consuming or using the affected product could result in serious adverse health consequences or death.
The USDA has not reported any confirmed illnesses or injuries connected to the recalled meat.
Despite the lack of confirmed health incidents, consumers who have purchased the affected products are being told not to eat them.
Anyone with concerns about a possible illness after consuming recalled meat should contact a healthcare professional.
23 Meat Products Included in Recall
The USDA said 23 products are included in the recall.
The affected products include different cuts and types of raw meat, including:
- Slice ribeye
- Beef oxtail cuts
- Beef short ribs
- Goat cuts
- Ground pork
- Other raw pork, beef and goat products
The meat was produced on multiple dates before September 22 and was distributed through a Georgia-based distributor before reaching restaurants and retail locations.
The USDA has published the complete list of affected products and their labels as part of its recall notice.
The USDA warned that the recalled products could potentially contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria or other contaminants.
Because the meat was produced without federal inspection, the agency said consumers should not assume the products are safe simply because they were sold through restaurants or retail outlets.
The recalled meat was reportedly vacuum-sealed and packed in cardboard boxes before being shipped.
The problem was discovered during a routine food safety inspection, according to the USDA.
Consumers who have purchased meat covered by the Star Meat Delivery recall should not consume the products.
The USDA recommends that affected meat be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Retailers and restaurants that may have received the recalled products should also check their inventories and ensure that the affected meat is not sold or served.
Consumers should pay particular attention to the “EST. 1363” marking, while also recognizing that retail stickers may cover or replace information on the original packaging.
Star Meat Delivery Inc. said the recalled meat was sourced from a USDA-inspected supplier.
In a statement to CNN, the company said it had not operated by sourcing meat from unapproved or unknown suppliers.
The company explained that it had begun working through the USDA approval process to provide additional cutting and packaging services for specific customer requests involving out-of-state distribution.
According to Star Meat Delivery, the recalled products were processed and packaged for a Georgia meat distributor while that approval process was still underway.
The company said the recall was initiated by Star Meat Delivery and emphasized that no other products sold by the company were mislabeled or included in the recall.
The company also said no other Star Meat Delivery products are part of the USDA recall.
USDA Urges Consumers to Check Meat Products
The Star Meat Delivery recall highlights the importance of checking meat packaging and recall notices before consuming affected products.
Although there have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury linked to the recalled meat, the USDA has classified the case as a Class I recall because of the potential health risks associated with products produced without required federal inspection.
Consumers, retailers and restaurants should verify their meat supplies and follow USDA instructions for any products included in the recall.
