Thursday, March 28, 2024

Health alert: Plastic found in ground beef sold at Whole Foods

Organic Rancher organic ground beef 93% and 85% lean should be tossed or returned to the store due to foreign material — hard plastic — found in the packaging. (Courtesy photo)

Some ground beef sold at Whole Food grocery stores nationwide may contain foreign material, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The USDA issued a public health alert for Organic Rancher organic ground beef, both sold in 16-ounce containers and marked 93% lean and 7% fat and 85% lean and 15% fat. Both stamped with the use-by date 5-18-2022, consumers complained of finding “hard, rigid plastic” in the protein to Whole Foods, which then notified the feds.

Produced on Apr. 20, the vacuum-sealed packages bear the establishment number “EST. 4027” inside the USDA mark of inspection. A recall wasn’t needed, according to the USDA, since the ground beef is no longer on the shelves for purchase.

No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported. A release explained: “Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.”

Consumers with the product still in their freezers are urged to thrown it out or return to Whole Foods.

Food safety questions can be directed to the USDA at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday. Questions are also accepted via email, MPHotline@usda.gov.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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