Health Law

California company recalls 864,000 pounds of ground beef

By Drew Falkenstein

FSIS reported today that Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.  Although the recall is Class I--i.e. associated with a very high risk to consumer health--there are no illnesses currently known to be associated with the potentially contaminated meat.  The recalled ground beef was produced between January 5, 2010, and January 15, 2010, and was shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California.

The following products, consisting of all ground beef products produced by the plant from January 5, 2010 to January 15, 2010, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of 'Huntington Meats Ground Beef'
40 lb. boxes of ' HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING'
40 lb. boxes of 'BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX'
10 lb. boxes of 'IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY'
20 lb. boxes of 'IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY'
10 lb. boxes of 'El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES'

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label.

Interestingly, though, these are not the only products subject to the large recall.  FSIS investigation at Huntington Meat Packing, Inc., must have turned up some serious violations because the company is also recalling meat produced in 2008.  FSIS determined that the 2008 meat was adulterated because the ground beef products produced from February 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008 may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

As a result, the following products produced from February 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008, are subject to recall:

40 lb. boxes of 'Huntington Meats Ground Beef'
40 lb. boxes of ' HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING'
40 lb. boxes of 'BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX'
10 lb. boxes of 'IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY'
20 lb. boxes of 'IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY'
10 lb. boxes of 'El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES'

Each box bears the establishment number "EST. 17967" inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on January 18, 2010 (boomark / email).