USDA issues health alert over contaminated ground beef

USA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert regarding frozen, raw ground beef that may contain foreign materials, including hard plastic and metal. 

The alert was issued after the agency learned of a consumer complaint concerning the presence of these contaminants in the product.

However, no recall was initiated as the affected items are no longer available for sale.

The beef in question was produced on December 10, 2024, and comes in vacuum-sealed packages weighing about one pound. 

The affected product is labeled with the following: “Turner Farm,” “STOCKYARDS PACKING COMPANY GROUND BEEF,”. 

It also carries establishment number “EST. M2035” inside the USDA inspection mark.

The product was shipped to a single retail outlet, Turner Farm, located at 7400 Given Road in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

The contamination was discovered after the company notified FSIS about a complaint from a consumer who had found pieces of plastic and metal in the ground beef.

To date, there have been no reports linking the product to any injuries or illnesses.

FSIS is alerting consumers who may still have these items in their homes to avoid consumption. 

Affected individuals should dispose of the products or return them to the place of purchase. 

Anyone who is concerned about potential health issues related to the product should seek advice from a medical professional.

Beef remains a staple in American diets, with each person consuming an average of 82 pounds per year.

Regional differences exist, with the Midwest consuming the highest at 73 pounds per person, while the Northeast consumes the least at 63 pounds. 

Although beef consumption has been in decline for several decades, recent data suggests a shift. 

In 2022, per capita beef consumption increased to 59.1 pounds, the highest since 2010, compared to 86 pounds in the 1970s.

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