“Illegal” Meat Pulled from Restaurants and Retailers in 9 States
Updated: Jul. 11, 2024
Concerned the products were not prepared "to control pathogens," federal authorities advise against consumption.
Around the world, 43 countries are eligible to export meat, poultry or egg products to the US according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)—meaning that breakfast scramble or the steak dinner you last ate may have come from somewhere that surprises you, like Spain or New Zealand.
To have clearance to export meat or poultry products to the US, the FSIS reports that “the country’s central competent authority certifies as meeting the requirements of the inspection system that that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) … determined equivalent to the United States inspection system.”
But not every country meets that standard. In fact, the FSIS has published an announcement dated July 10, 2024 to report that while conducting routine surveillance activities at a retailer, FSIS found products imported from the Philippines—one location that doesn’t have clearances to export into the US. The products were “shipped to restaurants and retail locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia,” the FSIS reports.
The FSIS says the USDA “cannot confirm whether the products were properly heated to control pathogens of concern to domestic livestock and poultry.”
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According to a press release from FSIS, the illegally imported products are being recalled. Though the quantity or amount of each seems unclear, the FSIS says they include:
- 150-gram can of “Argentina BRAND CORNED BEEF”
- 175-gram can of “Argentina BRAND CORNED BEEF”
- 260-gram can of “Argentina BRAND CORNED BEEF”
- 150-gram can of “PUREFOODS CORNED BEEF”
- 210-gram can of “PUREFOODS CORNED BEEF”
- 150-gram can of “CHUNKEE CORNED BEEF”
- 190-gram can of “CHUNKEE CORNED BEEF”
- 7.43-oz. jar of “Lady’s Choice Chicken Spread”
Images of recalled product labels are available here.
According to the press release, the FSIS worries that the products could be in unsuspecting consumers’ and restaurants’ pantries and on the shelves of unknowing retailers. Though no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall as of press time, the FSIS is urging retailers and restaurants with the products in stock not to serve them and for consumers not to eat them. The agency recommends that the products be double-bagged and discarded to reduce the possibility of animals getting to them.
FSIS is still investigating how these products entered the country.
If you have questions about this recall, FSIS says to contact John Ducar, Owner of Redsealuxury, LLC, at 646-669-4020 or [email protected].
Originally Published: July 11, 2024
