If you’ve got beef, pork or goat meat in the freezer, take a minute today to look it over. The USDA announced Tuesday that Star Meat Delivery Inc. of North Carolina is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of raw meat sold nationwide because the packages carried a false federal inspection mark reading “EST. 1363.” The recalled products include sliced ribeye, beef chuck, short ribs, ground pork and chorizo, all produced before September 22.
What makes this recall unusual is that the packaging may not give it away. Retailers are allowed to add their own stickers to products, which means the false USDA mark could be covered up by the time the meat reaches your shopping cart. Since the meat was distributed to consumers, restaurants and retailers across the country, officials say it should be considered unsafe to eat due to possible harmful bacteria or contaminants.
The good news: no illnesses or injuries have been confirmed. If you find any recalled product in your fridge or freezer, don’t cook it or taste-test it. Throw it away or return it to the store for a refund. For our Gulf Coast neighbors getting ready for a cookout, this is one check worth doing before the grill gets fired up. Have you ever discovered a recalled item in your own kitchen? Tell us about it in the comments.
